As South Africa commemorated World Aids Day, one person living with the disease has received a new lease of life - thanks to a generous wish made by a close friend.
On Monday, the man, who has not been identified and has full-blown Aids, was told he will be treated by a leading specialist and receive free medical treatment for the rest of his life.
The gift is from Toga Laboratory, in response to a wish made on Highveld Stereo's Rude Awakening show by Cheré Fabré for her sick friend.
Each year Jeremy Mansfield's popular radio show aims to grant three Christmas wishes a day for the first two weeks of December. Listeners are invited to fax or email their wishes for people in need, and those selected are matched up with willing donors.
"When I first saw him I actually fell in love, as he is absolutely gorgeous," Fabré wrote of her ailing friend. "But to my disappointment I found out he was gay."
The two developed a strong friendship, however, with her friend supporting Fabré through a difficult relationship and a pregnancy.
"He took me to hospital... It was the first time he had ever seen a naked woman but he didn't leave me," she said, describing how her friend helped her through her labour when her boyfriend wasn't around.
"Now he is dying. I am losing my best friend, my support structure, my world. I have never had a male friend I love so very much," she wrote.
Fabré and another friend started paying for their friend's medical treatment but recently have been unable to afford it.
Now an organisation has stepped in to cover the man's anti-retroviral therapy for life, HIV blood monitoring for a year and doctors' consultations.
"I am over the moon," said Fabré. "There was no way I was going to let my friend die, but it's amazing to know that there are generous people out there willing to help."
- In other wishes granted, missionary couple Nic and Liz Janse van Rensburg received a portable projector and screen to help them with Aids education in Lesotho, and the Acres of Love home for abandoned children received R20 000 worth of toys, games and clothes.