Viarshan Naidoo – Christmas Wish 2009 ends with tears of joy

Viarshan Naidoo

It has been a really difficult year for so many people and through the hardships and trials seen in many of the wishes granted, almost made things so much worse for us as Joburgers. People struggling with financial problems and trying to get through as best they can.

Then I hear the wish this morning about how a young man (Viarshan) was celebrating at the fact that he had a new job and after his car stalled on the highway a tow truck hit him head-on which left Viarshan in a life threatening situation.

Without too much of detail, Viarshan had to have craniotomy surgeory (basically they cut a piece of his skull out to release pressure on his brain), he was then placed in an induced comma for 2 months. Viarshan cannot walk, stand or even balance his body, he is fully dependant on his parents and family to feed him, bath him, change his nappies and give him his medication.

Viarshan Naidoo

Now Viarshan has to have Crainioplasty surgeory to have the place of his skull put back, apart from this, this young man is going to need physiotherapy, facial surgeory and alot of love and courage.

My hat goes off to an icredable team that has managed to pull this off. A very special thanks to Viarshan’s parents and family for pulling through thus far it is not an easy task but you have shown how much you love and care about your child. Thanks to the Christmas Wish team that has made all this posible and the amazing sponsors who have shown they have a heart of gold.

All in all Viarshan will receive R650 000, to help with medical costs, for the surgeory needed, for rehab, and for a better vehicle to transport Viarshan around in. Silverstar Casino and Europcar thank you.

The Christmas Wish Team:

The Rude Awakening
Ravi Naidoo
Mathapelo Monaisa
Lulama Mqina
Stephen Tshaka
Caren Olsen
Alan Matthews
Mark Kirby
Eugene Chetty
Desigan Moodley
Julia Burtenshaw
Kate Goliath
Pippa Rowles
Ally Stokes
Justin Sandman

Once I hear the video is up I will post it.

Insider Out

Christmas Wish 2009 – What a way to start off the final week

Willem story is so sad and I dont think anyone can fully understand what it means to lose your partner. What I want to focus on is how Christmas Wish changes lives, Willem’s wife passed away during a c-section, their child was 2 months pre-mature and Willem had to take all the responsibility. Kleenex have with heartfelt sorrow at the plight of Willem covered the cost of all medical fees, nursing for a full year, nappies and clothing for a full year. Willem and his baby boy Madden will receive Christmas presents and Willem will receive carpentering tools so that he can take up his hobby again.

I don’t know about you, but doesn’t bring a tear to your eye to know thay through all the pains and hardships of losing your loved one, that Joburg cares. Knowing that some cares, makes bearing the pain just a little easier.

I take my hat of to Jeremy, the Christmas Wish team and Kleenex for this one. Well done guys, well done.

My deepest sympaties to Willem.

Insider Out

Christmas Concert

Hey guys / girls,

It’s been a while since my last blog, lots been happening in Primedia Land. First on my list is the Christmas Wish Concert on the back of some really awesome wishing being granted. Originally the idea was to change from Christmas Carols to Christmas Wish Concert because there was a charge introduced. R20 which is not much and which was going to be used to grant a wish.

Spar has spoken up and said NO – No one must pay for the Concert, they will cover the cost of the ticket. What’s more is if you have already bought a ticket then on the day they will gladly refund you.

A concert with a mixture of carols and regular music might sound a bit weird but having been at the Concert last year, I can assure you it is a fantastic event.

Other items taking place at the station include:

1.  RAW Breakup Party at Silver Star Casino
2. The Killers Concert
3. The Nandos Peri-Peri Cruise 

I cried for both wishes this morning (18 November 2009)

Every year the Christmas Wishes touches our lives and every year I listen to people talk about how they cry in their cars on the way to the office and how they feel inspired and how they love what The Rude Awakening is doing.

This morning at hearing the two wishes I cried and felt an absolute respect for the parents of Kayden and Wade. If you did not hear the wish this morning here’s a little background to them.

A borrowed angel

The first wish today is from Taryn Lee Botha, for her friends Meghan and Phil. A year ago, on 11 August, their 3 year-old son Kayden was admitted to hospital complaining of abdominal cramps. The doctors discovered a 10 x 13 cm tumour attached to his adrenal gland and part of his liver. He started a course of chemotherapy immediately, and in April this year the results were looking good. Kayden seemed to be getting back to his normal fun-loving self. His check-ups in May and June were positive and his hair and eyelashes started growing back. However, in July this year, Kayden started complaining of abdominal cramps again and, after doctors ran tests again, they found a tumour in the empty space where they had removed the kidney. In the few days it took to get feedback, the cancer had wrapped itself around the superior vena calva, aorta, attached itself to the liver, remaining kidney and there were spots on the lungs. The doctors are unable to operate and the chemotherapy would be too toxic for him, so there is no further treatment for the cancer. The doctors have given Kayden weeks to live. Taryn says that Kayden is a borrowed angel on earth, and when they celebrated his 4th birthday in August this year, nothing could stop him from having a good time. Meghan and Phil have moved into a cottage on the family farm to be closer to the family circle of support. LG Electronics are sponsoring a LCD TV, a front-loader washing machine, a dishwasher and portable DVD player for Kayden and the staff clubbed together to get Christmas gifts for the family, all of which comes to a value of over R16 500.

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Independence for Wade

The second wish today is from Lynda May, for her 13 year-old son, Wade. Wade was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes a degeneration of all the muscles in the body. Lynda explains that when you and I go to gym we build muscle, but Wade’s muscles waste away with any form of exercise. Lynda’s fiancé has customised an old wheelchair for Wade, with a tilt function to stop his body from folding in on itself. Wade has to be tilted 90% of the day to help his curved spine and prevent his lungs from collapsing. However, it affects his writing and ability to feed himself. Lynda has hired a young lady to accompany Wade to school to help him write, take out his books and lunch and with his toilet. His biggest wish is to be able to get around between classes by himself. Donovan Walters, the owner of Mobility One, is sponsoring a Tilt in Space wheelchair, a mobility carrier to assist in transporting the chair, a seat cushion to assist with pressure relief, a customised backrest system that will assist in improving posture, a hip and chest body harness to keep Wade secured, a table to allow Wade to do his school work and to eat off, a 2-year warranty and all services during the duration. The total value of this sponsorship is over R88 000.

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I know that those parents would just want their kids to be ok – that would be the greatest gift they could ever receive! But in some small way I know that the Christmas Wish team has helped lighten the burden.

Lots of Love
Insider

Christmas Wish 2009 (2 days into it)

Hi guys / gals

It’s been an interesting two days with the Christmas Wish 2009 and I must admit that it’s pretty evident to see the need of our city and even our country as well. The magic in Christmas Wish has always been helping people and this year is no different but instead of the “expected” wishes (you know those wishes where someone gets a heart operation worth R100 000 or a disabled person getting a custom cumpter and so on), this year the wishes very much touch home for many South Africans.

With the Global recession that lead our own recession, I kinda guessed that the wishes would be for every day needs through the struggles and hardships that people face.

Again – the magic in Christmas Wish is helping and the slogan that 94.7 have selected is fitting… “Changing Joburg, one wish at a time”

I’m sure we will see some expected wishes, but for the better part I think us as the people of Joburg want to just see everyone have a good Christmas, not be hungry or in want or in pain. That I honestly believe is the driving force this year.

Changing lives is not just the responsisbility of The Rude Awakening, it’s our responsibility as well, we can change lives, if we just try.

For all the info check our the website: http://www.highveld.co.za/thelounge/events/ChristmasWish20091102/wishstart.asp

Insider Out

Christmas Wish 2009

I briefly mentioned that Christmas Wish 2009 would start soon – well soon has arrived. This coming Monday (16 November 2009), my favourite event ever starts. Christmas Wish to those who have no idea what it’s about, is basically an initiative of 94.7 to help Joburg. That’s not to say that the station does not help any other time but simply during the festive season it gets felt so much more.

2009 has been really a very difficult year from the point of view of just ordinary people of the street. The global recession, where so many lives where affected in a negitive way down to killer flu and so forth. Jeremy Mansfield who is the driving force behind Christmas Wish will tell you of his hardship this year fighting his illness (leukemia). Everything is looking bright at the moment for Jeremy but there is no doubt that such an event moves one to try a little harder a live a little greater and I personally think that we will see this in the wishes being granted this year.

Again I have to pull a few strings to see if I can get I.T. to set me with access to the Christmas Wish mailbox and if they can they I will be able to give you a brief idea about what’s common in the requests this year.

Christmas Wish touches lives and heart and I don’t care who you are, once you heard the Christmas Wish Jingle start, you know it’s time to lower your heart a little so no one can see you sniffing and wiping the tears away. What’s so great about this is that the very human element comes out of us tough Joburgers. It also makes us more aware of what’s happening in our world and shows that all it takes is a little effort.

Don’t think that for one minute the tons of cash or awesome prizes being given away are over - NO – simply the tons of cash are going to those who really need it, and the prizes are not prizes, but rather gifts.

What better way to start the holiday’s, than to see other smile – someone less fortunate than you gets to share in the joys of Christmas. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

I know you want to take part so here is the low down:

If you know of someone that is down and out, then why not send a wish request to 94.7, simply email: wish@highveld.co.za or drop it off at Primedia Place; 5 Gwen Lane; Sandown; 2196

If you want to be part of helping and can offer cash or goods, please let the guys know, email: wishsponsor@highveld.co.za

If you want the Jingle – download here

For updates and information as always, get to the 94.7 website. www.highveld.co.za

Insider Out!

Soccer tickets

As you know, the soccer world cup is coming to SA next year – if you haven’t heard, then you’ve been living under a rock! I heard sneaky sneaky that Highveld is going to be doing something big involving tickets next week – and you knwo how scarce those are. They will probably let us all know from Monday…

Stash the Cash – Time is running out!

That’s right guys / girls. I got in this morning and realised that we are already into the third week of this promotion on 94.7. I also picked up that thus far the cash amounts won have been pretty low compared to how much there actually is. My thoughts on this is that 94.7 have been keeping the vault low for this last few days. Which means the figures should be picking up and picking up big.

So what are you waiting for? Register guys, register now and get your chance at playing for the cash in the vault.

Good Luck
Insider.

94.7 Heart Radio at its best.

94.7 are well known for there heart-felt initiatives and every year as we get closer to November / December, we have all become familar with The 94.7 Rude Awakening Christmas Wish.

That’s not what this blog today is about! lol – This morning on the Rude Awakening, Jeremy and the team spoke to Tlhogi Maseko who has leukemia. This young man was diagnosed went he was 14 years old. That’s has got to be a tough start to being a teenager. Anyway, he’s strong and focused and from what I heard on the show this morning, he has got the respect of the big man!

All the proceeds from the banners sold at Pic n Pay will go to the Sunflower Foundation to help those in similar situations as Jeremy and Tlhogi.

Just hearing Jeremy talk about the experience, his own personal experience and also this young man who has endured so much is one that brings a tear to your eye. You really have to tip your hat to the team at 94.7 for these little moments that remind us to be thankful and grateful for what we have.

Have a supper day guys.
Insider
Mail me: insider@highveld.co.za

R3000 – R3000 – R3000, BANG, vault closed!

The only thing worthwhile from this morning’s Stash the Cash game is how the guy entered. He used Highveld.mobi and got selected. What are you waiting for?

Just don’t be greedy, if you hear two or three big amounts, scream STOP or you will lose it all.

Catch you later.
Insider