13-year-old Kyle suffers a heart attack on the cricket pitch
Jacaranda FM's Good Morning Angels assisted a mom in preparing for the future after her 13-year-old son, Kyle Lessing, had a heart attack on the cricket pitch.
Thirteen-year-old Kyle Lessing was a fit, healthy cricket player when he had a heart attack during a match while representing his school, Laerskool Dr Havinga, on the West Rand.
While Kyle was telling his coach that he didn’t feel well, he collapsed. He stopped breathing, and one of his teachers immediately started CPR. It took 20 minutes to get his heart beating again, when the ambulance arrived.
This happened on 3 August, and Kyle is still under sedation at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg.
An MRI scan has revealed that Kyle suffered brain damage due to the lack of oxygen. As for his heart condition, the doctors don’t seem to be any closer to an answer.
Kyle is the second child of Charlene, a single mum and sales consultant who works on commission. Kyle and his 14-year-old sister, Chloe, lost their father a few years ago, so Charlene has been the sole provider for her two children ever since.
Charlene drives to the hospital every day to visit Kyle between 13:00 and 15:00, the only time she is permitted to visit.
Kyle’s future is still very uncertain, but Charlene knows that their lives will be different going forward.
The school community and friends of the family reached out to Good Morning Angels to help this brave mother and sister in their hour of need, and to assist them in preparing for their new future.
REQUEST FOR: 13-year-old Kyle Lessing and his mum, Charlene, and sister, Chloe
REQUEST FROM: Liza and the Kyle Support Group
ANGEL: The Good Morning Angels Fund NPC
SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will assist Charlene with R50 000 towards current expenses and loss of income during Kyle’s hospital stay. The Fund will assist with a further R50 000 donation to help Charlene future-proof their home for Kyle’s new needs once he is released from hospital.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good day, Jacaranda and team,
I am writing to you on behalf of my dear friend Charlene Lessing and her 13-year-old son, Kyle. Kyle is my son's best friend, and I am reaching out with a heavy heart, hoping that you can assist us in sharing his story and helping this family through an unimaginable journey.
Kyle has always been a healthy, happy child who was never sick.
On 3 August, while playing in a cricket match, Kyle suddenly collapsed. He stopped breathing, and one of his teachers immediately started CPR.
For 20 minutes, they fought to bring him back until the ambulance arrived. Kyle’s heart started beating again, but he had been without oxygen for approximately 20 minutes.
He was rushed to Helen Joseph Hospital, where doctors placed him under sedation after he started suffering from seizures. After further assessment, he was transferred to Johannesburg General Hospital, where he has been in ICU ever since, kept sedated while doctors monitor his condition.
Today, 20 August, Charlene received the heartbreaking news following an MRI scan that Kyle has suffered hypoxic brain damage. The doctors have started reducing his sedation to wake him up and assess the severity of the damage and what the road ahead will look like.
I am writing this not knowing what tomorrow will bring, but knowing that Kyle and Charlene are facing a long and extremely difficult journey. The emotional, medical and financial challenges ahead are overwhelming.
Shortly after the incident, I started a BackaBuddy campaign in the hope of helping Charlene with everyday expenses.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/support-for-kyle-and-family
Charlene is a single mother of two children and does not receive a fixed monthly salary. She earns through commission. I know this unexpected tragedy will require ongoing support and provision.
I feel so helpless watching this beautiful boy fight for his life and seeing his amazing mother carry such a heavy burden. Kyle is a kind, gentle child with the biggest heart, and Charlene is a devoted mother who would do anything for her children.
I have turned to Jacaranda because I do not know how else to help raise awareness and support for what lies ahead. I am trying to prepare for the long road in front of them and give them the support they desperately need.
We humbly ask for your help in sharing Kyle’s story and, if possible, assisting us in raising funds to support Charlene and Kyle during this difficult time.
Thank you for taking the time to read their story and for considering helping this family.
Kind regards,
Liza
Tune in to 'Good Morning Angels', every Wednesday from 06:00 – 09:00, on 'Breakfast with Martin Bester'. Stream the special feature live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: Jacaranda FM