At just five years old, Kalinzi Derrick from Lyantonde Kaliro should be running freely, laughing with friends, and enjoying the beauty of childhood. Instead, he is fighting a painful battle for his life.
Derrick is currently suffering from a rare and serious medical condition that has left him with an extremely enlarged stomach and a severely weakened body. What began as what his parent’s thought was a simple infection quickly turned into a terrifying reality as his abdomen started swelling abnormally and continued to grow bigger each day.
Danah Foundation is standing strong and committed to helping Derrick survive a rare and life-threatening condition that has left him with an extremely enlarged stomach and a fragile, weakened body, as his condition worsened, Derrick became thinner and thinner until his bones were nearly visible, while his stomach protruded so much that he could no longer stand on his feet or move around. He now vomits almost every time he attempts to eat, and he lives in constant pain.
After several visits to different local health facilities that could not clearly diagnose his condition, Derrick was referred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized medical attention. Doctors conducted detailed tests and found that he was suffering from bilateral pleural effusion, an inflammatory condition that causes a dangerous build-up of fluid in the body. They also discovered a build-up of fluid in his abdomen and sludge in his gall bladder that had thickened its wall. Doctors informed the family that the only way to save Derrick’s life is through urgent surgery. However, the operation requires a significant amount of money that his family simply cannot afford.
In desperation to save their son, Derrick’s parents sold off everything they owned to raise funds for medical care. Despite their sacrifices, it was still not enough to cover the cost of the life-saving operation, forcing them to return home with their son still in pain and in a deteriorating condition. His mother fears every single day as she watches his stomach grow bigger, worried that without immediate help, they may lose him. Derrick has stopped going to school because walking is painful, and undernourishment has caused him to lose even more weight. The once healthy and joyful boy is now confined to suffering, longing for relief and a chance to live like other children.
Danah Foundation has stepped in to stand with Derrick and his family during this heartbreaking time. The foundation has already begun fundraising initiatives and is now preparing an online campaign to reach compassionate individuals both locally and internationally. The goal is to gather support from friends, well-wishers, and kind-hearted people from all corners of the world who are willing to help give this young boy a second chance at life. Every contribution, no matter how small, can bring Derrick closer to the surgery he urgently needs and the opportunity to grow up healthy and strong.
If you are willing to support Kalinzi Derrick’s treatment and help save his life, please contact Danah Foundation through their website at https://danahfoundation.org/, email info@danahfoundation.org or danahfoundation@gmail.com, or call +256 709 988 665 or +256 703 691746. Your kindness, generosity, and prayers can make the difference between despair and hope for this innocent child who deserves to smile, play, and dream again.