Faan: Real People, Real Stories.
Faan, a resilient farmer living near Heidelberg, emerged from a life-altering health crisis with a determined spirit and a commitment to helping others facing similar challenges. Faan, alongside his devoted wife Elmarie and their animals, thrived on their farm, tending to livestock and cultivating maize and soybeans.
In November 2013, Faan’s life took an unexpected turn during the planting season. Faan had a disastrous encounter with pesticides that led to the collapse of his immune system. Subsequently, Faan’s heart fell victim to the Staphylococcus Aureus Virus, resulting in cardiomyopathy and a weakened heart at a critical 15%.
Facing the daunting prospect of a heart transplant, Faan’s journey through a harrowing three weeks in the ICU unfolded. The medical prognosis painted a picture of a once active farmer reduced to a bedridden state with only 15% heart function. Elmarie, standing by his side, confronted the stark reality, hoping for a miracle.
Enter his formidable doctor, a ray of hope who proposed a pacemaker defibrillator that could potentially assist Faan’s failing heart. The road to recovery, however, was littered with financial obstacles. Faan’s limited health coverage left the couple in despair until a compassionate friend connected them with a medical device company.
Unbelievably, the company stepped forward, offering a 50% discount on the crucial defibrillator. As the transplant approached, the generosity continued, with the device company sponsoring the entire unit. Feeling relieved and grateful, Faan found renewed hope and the means to face the future.
Faan’s journey reveals his accomplishments and a mission to pay forward the good fortune he received. Despite the initial poisoning and heart failure, Faan defied the odds, returned to farming, and, with Elmarie, actively engaged in supporting heart patients struggling with financial constraints. His remarkable journey highlights the power of resilience, community support, and the powerful impact of a second chance at life.