More than 2 500 people await organ donations in SA: How you can help
Currently there is a shortage of organ donations in South Africa and those who need organs have to join long waiting lists to get a second chance at life.
Donating your organs is such a noble idea.
Currently there is a shortage of organ donations in South Africa and those who need organs have to join long waiting lists to get a second chance at life.
Tissue and organ coordinators from Netcare were joined by the Organ Donor Foundation, Centre for Tissue Engineering (CTE) and Transplant Sports Association, Leratong Hospital and Baragwanath Hospital at the Netcare Krugersdorp Private Hospital on August 22 to raise awareness during Organ Donor Month. Some recipients of organs shared their stories.
Transplant recipients who want to live an active lifestyle and be involved in various sporting activities can join the SA Transplant Sports Association. They participate in sports like track and field, golf, cycling, tennis, road running, squash, swimming and lawn bowls amongst others.
At any given time there are more than 2 500 people on the waiting list for organs in South Africa and most will die before they receive the help they need.
One of the most important messages stakeholders were trying to get across during the awareness campaign was firstly that one should register; but even if you are registered you should ensure that your family is aware of your wishes as they will be the ones with the final say when the time comes.
There are two types of donations – organ and tissue donation. An organ donation is done after an individual has been declared brain dead, but is still being supported by a ventilator. Tissue retrieval can still be done several hours and even days after death.
You can save up to seven lives by becoming a donor. Your heart, liver and pancreas can save three lives while your kidneys and lungs can save four people. You can help up to 50 people by donating your corneas, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves.
If you would like to become an organ donor you can visit odf.org.za or www.tissuedonation.org.za. If you are a transplant recipient and want to join the Transplant Sport Association you can visit them here.
