From pain to possibility: Dawn gets life-changing surgery as all three finalists receive hope
What began as a search to change one life this Mandela Day ended with three people being given a new path forward.
East Coast Radio’s Big Favour and Busamed Gateway Private Hospital launched the From Pain to Possibility initiative with one powerful goal: to help someone in KwaZulu-Natal access a life-changing medical procedure they would otherwise be unable to afford.
Listeners were invited to nominate people in need of elective procedures across a range of medical disciplines, with a specialist team reviewing the nominations before selected candidates underwent consultations and medical assessments.
From the many stories received, three finalists were selected – each living with a condition that had significantly affected their daily life.
And over the course of one extraordinary week, East Coast Breakfast followed their journeys as doctors worked to understand exactly what each person needed.
Three stories. Three lives waiting for change.
Among the finalists was Dawn Nel, a wife and grandmother who had been waiting more than five years for a knee replacement.
Her deteriorating mobility had forced her to leave the hospitality career she loved, while everyday moments many of us take for granted – walking without pain, shopping or simply spending active time with her grandchildren – had become increasingly difficult.
The finalists then underwent medical examinations at Busamed Gateway Private Hospital to determine the right course of treatment for each of them.
And on Friday morning, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
Dawn was asked to return to the hospital – but she had no idea what was waiting for her.
Surrounded by members of the Busamed team, Darren Maule finally shared the words that would change her life:
“You’re not a finalist. You’re actually getting the surgery.”
Overcome with emotion, Dawn could barely believe what she was hearing.
“Is this real?” she asked.
After more than five years of waiting, the wait was finally over. Dawn would be admitted to Busamed Gateway Private Hospital to receive the knee replacement she so desperately needed.
East Coast Radio reflects on a campaign that changed lives
East Coast Radio Finance Manager Mandy Moollan also joined East Coast Breakfast to reflect on the journey and the role the station played in helping bring the initiative to life.
Mandy spoke about the importance of using the station’s platform to make a tangible difference in people’s lives, and the impact of seeing the From Pain to Possibility campaign move from an idea to real medical care for the finalists.
But what about the other two finalists?
While Dawn had been selected for the life-changing surgery, the medical assessment process revealed that the other two finalists required different paths to recovery.
One finalist needed further tests before doctors could make an accurate diagnosis and develop the correct treatment plan.
The other did not require surgery after an MRI showed that ongoing knee pain was linked to bone bruising following a kneecap dislocation. Doctors instead recommended a rehabilitation programme to help restore function and support recovery.
It was good news medically – but it left one question hanging in the air.
What would happen to them now?
Then came one final surprise.
Kagiso Tiso Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer Paballo Makosholo joined East Coast Breakfast at Busamed with an announcement nobody saw coming.
After following the stories of all three finalists, Kagiso Tiso Holdings had decided that the journey would not end for the two who had not been selected for surgery.
Their recommended treatment would also be covered.
“We have walked a journey with all the finalists,” Makosholo said, explaining that it was difficult to hear their stories and simply leave two people behind.
Whatever treatment was recommended by their medical teams would be supported, giving all three finalists an opportunity to move forward.
From one life-changing surgery to three lives changed
From Pain to Possibility began with the promise of helping one person.
It became something much bigger.
Dawn will receive the knee replacement she has waited more than five years for.
The two other finalists will receive the further testing, treatment and rehabilitation recommended by their medical teams.
Three people arrived at Busamed carrying years of pain, uncertainty and hope.
All three leave this journey knowing they have not been left behind.
This Mandela Day, The Big Favour, East Coast Radio, Busamed Gateway Private Hospital and Kagiso Tiso Holdings showed what can happen when people and organisations come together with one shared purpose: to turn pain into possibility.
And for Dawn and her fellow finalists, a new chapter starts now.
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