Round Table Swakopmund supported the Raw Talent Art Exhibition in aid of the Laura Meyer Medical Fund on Monday 12 September 2011. Round Table Swakopmund Chairman, Mr. Danny Nel, officially opened the Art Exhibition. The Art Exhibition is the brain child of Miss Nadine Downing and her art students. The art pieces have been created mostly from recycled material. The creativity is astounding and we encourage everyone to visit the Exhibition at the Woermann Art Gallery. Herewith the Gallery Hours:

Monday to Friday: 10:00 till 12:00 and 15:00 till 17:00

Saturdays: 10:00 till 12:00

The Exhibition will be on display until 3rd October 2011. Round Table Swakopmund also made a donation of N$5 145 towards the Laura Meyer Medical Fund . We appeal to the Community to make a difference in this little girl’s life by visiting the Art Exhibition, maybe acquire an art piece or two, or donate directly to the Medical Fund. Herewith the banking details of the fund:

Nedbank Namibia Ltd

Swakopmund

Branch number: 461052

Swift code: Nedsnanx

Account name: Laura Meyer Medical Fund

Account Number: 12000930952 (Savings Account)

Laura was born on the 8^th December 2008 in Swakopmund. At that stage everything seemed to be fine with her. Her jaundice however worsened from week to week and with 10 % weeks she was diagnosed with biliary atresia. This is a condition, in which an inflammation develops within the bile ducts, around the time of birth. This inflammation can occur in any of the bile ducts both inside and outside the liver and causes the bile ducts outside the liver to shrivel up and to disappear altogether. The bile is trapped in the liver, which causes severe scarring of the liver. Laura was operated on with 10 % weeks (Kasai procedure) where the small intestine was then connected to the liver to enable the bile to drain. This damage to the liver in many instances causes the fibrotic liver to become cirrhotic. At some stage, the majority of children with biliary atresia then need a liver transplant. Laura recovered very well after her Kasai and the jaundice disappeared. Both organs however, the liver and spleen are already enlarged and she is developing portal hypertension. The Cape Town liver specialists will not predict with certainty when exactly Laura will need a transplant, but they told us that we have to prepare ourselves for a possible transplant at any time. She therefore has to undergo half-yearly medical check-ups, preferably by the liver specialists and paediatric surgeon in Cape Town. Blood tests are performed on a six weekly basis to monitor her condition and liver functions. She needs chronic medication and extra vitamins daily and gets imported medical nutritional supplements and oils to keep her as stable as possible.

The Meyer Family are departing to Germany where Laura will undergo a medical check-up at the Heidelberg University Clinic.

Laura is growing up relatively normal despite her condition. She is a happy and friendly child.