Turning pain into purpose: how a Cape Town runner aims to support a brave teen battling lupus

It’s not every day that a story on the radio stops you in your tracks but for Scott Arendse, a recent interview on Heart FM hit home in a way he never expected.

The interview featured Mercédi Thomas, an 18-year-old girl from Cape Town who is battling a relentless autoimmune disease called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)? SLE, commonly referred to as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs.

This can lead to inflammation and damage in various parts of the body, including the skin,the  joints, the heart, the lungs the brain and the kidneys.

At the age of 12, Thomas was diagnosed with SLE, which forced her to relinquish many of the joys of being young. She suffered intense pain due to lupus-induced rheumatoid arthritis, which caused her to miss out on school sports matches or dancing to their favourite songs.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus affects approximately five million people worldwide. While data specific to South Africa is limited, researchers believe that lupus is underdiagnosed in African populations, largely due to a lack of awareness and access to proper healthcare facilities.

Now, at 18, Thomas is in her matric year, a time that should be filled with excitement, hope and preparation for the future. Instead, she’s fighting lupus nephritis, a complication that has led to stage 4 kidney failure. Her kidneys are functioning at only 15-29% of their normal capacity, and she requires aggressive and costly treatment to survive.

Thomas spent Christmas 2024 in hospital due to a lupus fare. In January, she was readmitted  with an acute kidney infection. Her body did not respond to the antibiotics administered and her condition worsened, leading her to be moved to High Care.

The youngster developed hypertension and fluid around the lungs. She underwent a Renal Biopsy and it was unfortunately found that SLE was now active in her Kidneys.

Aggressive Treatment is needed but one of the treatments, Rituximab is a chemotherapy drug that is not covered by medical aid. Rituximab costs R10 000 per infusion and Mercedi would initially need a minimum of 2 infusions per month. One course of this treatment costs R100 000 for the year.

Turning empathy into action

For Scott Arendse, Mercédi Thomas’s story was more than just another tale of hardship; it resonated deeply. Arendse’s wife also lives with an autoimmune disease sarcoidosis giving him an intimate understanding of the daily struggles and resilience required to fight such conditions.

“I heard this young lady’s story and it really touched me,” Arendse shared. I know how tough it is to deal with the challenges on a daily basis.” Though Arendse doesn’t consider himself an avid runner, his passion for sport and helping others led him to an idea: he would run 21 kilometres, the distance of a half marathon, from Simonstown to Diep River to raise funds and awareness for Thomas.

Dubbed the “Miles for Mercédi” challenge, Scott’s run is more than just a physical feat it’s a statement of solidarity and hope for a young girl who deserves a fighting chance.

The cost of lupus treatment Lupus is not only a physically draining disease but also a financially crippling one. Treatment for lupus nephritis, which Mercédi now faces, requires specialised medications, regular medical checkups, and sometimes dialysis or even a kidney transplant.

In South Africa, severe cases with complications like lupus nephritis could still incur substantial costs, with some estimates reaching around R200,000 per patient per year for treatments like rituximab in the public sector.

For Thomas, whose family is already stretched thin, Scott Arendse’s fundraising efforts could be the lifeline they need to afford the aggressive treatment required to manage her condition and prevent further organ damage.

How can you help

Donate: Visit the Mercédi LUPUS WARRIOR BackaBuddy page to contribute directly to her medical expenses. Every rand counts in helping her access lifesaving treatments.

Join the run: If you’re in the Cape Town area, check out Scott’s event page on Facebook and join him for the 21km “Miles for Mercédi” run. Whether you walk, jog, or run, your presence will show others that they are not alone.