News

Biking for KidneyBeanz

There were 135 cyclists registered under the KidneyBeanz group for the 2011 Momentum 94.7 cycle challenge, and so far the riders have raised more than R200 000, with more payments still coming in.  This is a great achievement and KidneyBeanz congratulates all its cyclists for their efforts!

A KidneyBeanz Christmas

Each year, KidneyBeanz gets fun and festive for the holiday season. The children coming in for dialysis are treated to special spoilings, and this year we organised a Christmas party in the hospital ward. These children and their families do not get to experience the usual Christmas festivities, such as spending time with one’s family (at home or on holiday), relaxing and enjoying Santa and sun. However, thanks to all of our generous donations and sponsorships, we were able to bring Christmas to the kids. Santa surprised everyone with presents, hugs, and lots of encouragement to keep being the brave individuals they are. Justin Bieber blasted in the background and the children's spirits were high and lively. Everyone was bubbling with excitement, including Dr Gottlich and all the sisters and therapists who joined in on the fun. Presents were opened, delicious snacks were enjoyed, many Christmas decorations were made and there were toys and treats for all! KidneyBeanz is happy to announce that this is only the beginning of the celebrations, and we will continue the marvelous merriment right through the Christmas holidays!

Dischem Sun City Swim

KidneyBeanz was one of the 3 beneficiary charities at this year's annual Dischem Sun City Swim on the 30th of October.  A few of the KidneyBeanz kids, together with their parents, had the opportunity to visit Sun City for the day and were given free entrance to The Valley of Waves, as well as receiving goodie bags. Fun was had by all, and we were blessed with fantastic weather and perfect swimming conditions.

It was a very special day for Masego in particular, who celebrated her birthday with her Mom, Catherine (both pictured).  Masego is currently waiting for a kidney transplant.

Thank you to the Mvuhu Group for sponsoring the transport for the kids and parents.  A very big thank you must also go out to Dischem, Sun City and Event Coordinators, Phillip Chappell and Clare Davie for making KidneyBeanz part of this amazing event -the kids all had a great time!

Ben gets on his bike for KidneyBeanz

In 2008 Ben Getz completed the 94.7 Momentum Cycle Challenge, but found that after all his training he had gained weight rather than losing it. He soon discovered that he had kidney failure, and had to spend time at Morningside Clinic being treated. It was here that he discovered KidneyBeanz, and found that he could relate to the challenges faced by these children and their families.  

Three years on Ben is doing much better and decided to cycle the 94.7 again, this time with a particular cause in mind. KidneyBeanz has become close to Ben’s heart, and he wanted to do something to help the children and families who received support from the trust.  With help from Virgin Active (Broadacres and Old Eds), Sunninghill Superspar, Astellas Pharmaceuticals and Nevada Properties, Ben cycled this year’s Momentum Cycle Challenge to raise awareness for kidney disease and the good work done by KidneyBeanz. Congratulations to Ben from everyone at KidneyBeanz, and thank you for the support!

Spinathon

Our annual Spinathon was held on the 29^th of October at Broadacres Spar. There was a tremendous turnout, and everybody had an enjoyable day! See below for pictures from the event.

Spinathon

It’s time for the KidneyBeanz Spinathon again! Get ready for a morning of fitness, family and fun as we gear up to spin for a good cause. This year’s event is taking place in the Broadacres Centre parking area, at 7am on 29 October.  Booking can be done in advance here. For more details email info@kidneybeanz.co.za. We look forward to seeing you all there!

KidneyBeanz movie night

KidneyBeanz movie night, 28 July 2011, Thursday evening, Monte Casino NuMetro For bookings and payment, click here.

An emotional story about a man on a journey to rediscover his family and re-start his life. Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can't seem to get himself back on track, until a beaver hand puppet enters his life.

International Transplant Games

Johan De Jager, Thato Makubedu and Pamela Mvundza are representing their country in June 2011 in Sweden. These 3 brave athletes have been training over the past few months in preparation for the games. KidneyBeanz was one of the proud sponsors. You can keep track on their progress on transplantgamesteam.blogspot.

KidneyBeanz Appreciation Gala Dinner

KidneyBeanz hosted an Appreciation Dinner on the 25th of October 2010 at Monte Casino to recognise and thank their key supporters and fundraisers. Mark Bayly (TV presenter) was the host and Tokyo Groove provided the entertainment. Special recognition went to Lawrence Viljoen and Clive Lau for Media support, Natasha Britnell from NuMetro Cinemas for Media and Advertising support, Russell Underhill from Propeller Films for Media support, Jonathan Lang from O2 Productions for fundraising and sponsorship, Steve Ellis for fundraising through sport, Nuno Musculino for fundraising through sport and Kevin Perkins for fundraising through entertainment.

South African Transplant Games

4 of our KidneyBeanz kids entered the SA Transplant Games in November 2010 that took place in Pretoria. Thato Makubedu, Pamela Mvundza, Johan De Jager and Livia Wagner all took part in the junior 100m sprint, ball throw and long jump items. The kids gave their all and showed amazing dedication. Johan broke international records in all 3 items and together with Thato and Pamela, qualified for the International Transplant Games for 2011, to be held in Sweden.

KidneyBeanz Commercial on Mnet, DSTV, e.tv and NuMetro Cinemas.

Propeller Films, Striking Undies Cooke and DaVinci Edison Bell joint ventures to produce and direct a commercial for KidneyBeanz.

Striking Undies cook up a KidneyBeanz commercial (with the help of Coldplay)

There is an organization out there that does wonderful work for children with severe kidney disease. When Russell Underhill of Propeller Films heard of the KidneyBeanz Trust, he immediately jumped at the opportunity to help create a commercial for the charity. It was a personal rite of passage for Underhill whose mother had suffered from kidney disease.

It was decided at the outset by advertising agency Da Vinci Edison Bell that the commercial needed to feature a series of real life heroes who had been physically scarred in the line of their work "The scar concept comes from the idea that people do these incredible jobs and put their lives at risk to save other people," says creative director Patrick Robertson, "that idea had a natural fit to someone that decides to donate their organs to save another human being. That is an incredibly heroic thing to do."

The commercial was directed by the dynamic new directing team Striking Undies Cook. This innovative trio consists of directors Catharine Cooke, Sylvaine Strike and Russell Underhill. Together they tackled the concept, refined the idea and established a high end documentary shooting style for the commercial. Casting directors Streetwize in Cape Town assisted in the casting and tirelessly fought to find the right cast members.

Explains casting director Leigh Pollack: "Each cast member has his or her own heroic story. For example lifesaver Achmat Hasseim literally fought off a huge great white shark to save the life of his brother whilst they where training off Sunrise Beach. He lost his right leg below the knee. After much soul searching he made a decision to create a new life for himself as a Paralympics swimmer. He has won a host of swimming medals and he has already competed at the Beijing Paralympics and he is now preparing for the London Olympics." Equally awesome, humbling and inspiring stories came from the other heroes namely landmine demining worker Serafim Daudo, paramedic Chrishando Staines, World war two veteran William Keeble MBE and fireman Shane Wolstencroft.

All these portraits of heroes finally culminate in the portrait of Suzanne Naidoo who bravely donated a kidney to save the life of her son Mekyle.

But it’s not only the donors who are the heroes. As Annamarie Wagner of KidneyBeanz Trust explains "It’s fitting that the basis of this commercial is around heroes. That is exactly what we are trying to instil in the kids, that they are heroes who are strong and brave. We encourage them to see this period of kidney disease as just one aspect of their lives. They can focus on much more than just this time in their lives. They can conquer so much more after their treatment."

Once the filming was in the bag, the committed team began their fight to secure the song rights for Coldplay’s "Fix You" to accompany the visuals.

After a long application process through Universal and EMI music super group Coldplay gave permission to use their fitting and deeply moving song. "Fix You" is now the memorable soundtrack for the KidneyBeanz commercial showing on TV and at cinemas.
"The Coldplay soundtrack has been an absolute coup for us" said Annamarie Wagner. "The trust has only been in existence for three years and the commercial will help raise awareness of what our organisation is about. The visuals were already mesmerising, but now with the Coldplay soundtrack to help drive the message home we have a brand message that we are all extremely proud of."

The KidneyBeanz commercial was made possible by numerous generous donations from crew and suppliers. Post production was generously donated by Orchestra Blue Post Production and visual effects by the Ministry of Illusion. In the end, all the donors pulled together reminding the team of the power of humanity.