{"id":13936,"date":"2022-01-12T16:32:51","date_gmt":"2022-01-12T14:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=13936"},"modified":"2022-01-12T16:32:53","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T14:32:53","slug":"valiant-swart-is-having-an-auction-to-support-his-wife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2022\/01\/12\/valiant-swart-is-having-an-auction-to-support-his-wife\/","title":{"rendered":"Valiant Swart Is Having An Auction To Support His Wife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Serious illness, whether your own or that of a loved one, has a huge impact on the lives of everyone involved. The popular SAMA acclaimed singer-songwriter and actor, Valiant Swart<\/strong>, and his wife can attest to this fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lanelle & Valiant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lanelle, who is also his agent, underwent cancer surgery two years ago. There has, however, been complications and she was recently diagnosed with lymphedema<\/a> in her right leg, which could possibly spread to her left leg at a later stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLanelle is an iron lady and wonderful mother to our children. She has always had an active lifestyle and held the fort when I had to be on the road for work. Lymphedema has significantly changed her life,\u201d<\/em> says the musician who is best-known for his role in the Afrikaans drama, Song vir Katryn<\/em>, and hits like Sonvanger<\/em> and Eyeshadow<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of her diagnosis, which will worsen over time, the active fifty-one-year-old mother \u2013 who still studies and enjoys hiking, swimming and travelling \u2013 plans for the future have been severely affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain, discomfort, strenuous treatments and exercise, as well as a strict diet have become her new reality… and travelling (which is essential for Valiant\u2019s career) is now an unpleasant and tiring experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy wife has to permanently wear uncomfortable, restrictive compression socks to prevent her legs from swelling and her condition from deteriorating. She also has to do special exercise every morning, without exception, to prevent swelling, pain and complications. Despite her disciplined exercise program and diet, she still experiences constant pain and discomfort, which makes normal things like driving exhausting,\u201d<\/em> he shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, she has never been one to give up, and decided to fight back against this horrible disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After thorough research, they discovered that there is a micro-surgical procedure overseas to treat lymphedema. However, there are only a handful of institutions and surgeons who specialize in this treatment, and they were fortunate enough to find a highly regarded American specialist in Cleveland, Ohio, who wants to start treatment early in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLymphedema affects all aspects of my life. Apart from chronic swelling, pain and discomfort, it also affects my immune system and can lead to life-threatening bacterial infection. The worst for me is the fear that I might lose my mobility. This operation will give me a chance to function normally because it creates an alternative drainage route for the lymph, which helps to slow down tissue change and reduces the risk of infection,\u201d<\/em> says Lanelle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that the procedure costs a small fortune, not to mention travel and accommodation expenses (before, during and after the operation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To raise money for Lanelle\u2019s treatment, the couple plans to host two auctions in the Cape and Gauteng – in collaboration with WOES<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe would like to have two live auctions early in 2022. It will also be live-streamed at the same time to ensure a larger audience and provide an excellent advertising platform to advertisers,\u201d<\/em> Valiant explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to performances by well-known artists, valuable Valiant Swart memorabilia will also be auctioned, including Jinx (his character in Song for Katryn<\/em>)\u2019s guitars (mounted in wooden display cases); a limited number of new electric guitars; handwritten and framed lyrics of hits like Songvanger<\/em>, Die Mystic Boer<\/em>, Eyeshadow<\/em> and Duisend Myl Blues<\/em>; the last remaining bottles of Mystic Boer brandy; signed framed photographs; artwork, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen Kobie from Vonk Musiek approached us to help raise funds for Lanelle, we immediately agreed,\u201d<\/em> says Jaco van Dyk, one of the founding members of WOES. \u201cWe would like to generate as much money as possible, as the couple still has a very uncertain road ahead of them.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funds will also be raised in three other ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n