IN PHOTOS: Lowveld golf day raises awareness about organ donations
It was a successful event at Mbombela Golf Club, organised by two Lowvelders, recipients of organ and tissue donations. They now carry the message across to reach more donors.
“My brother, Stephan Potgieter, gave me a second chance in life when he donated one of his kidneys to me, and I wanted to thank him for his donation. I hope that we will raise awareness through this golf day,” says Jaco Potgieter.
Last Friday, April 5, a golf day at Mbombela Golf Club was organised by the two main sponsors, Potgieter and Reinette Greyling, both recipients of organ donations. The day’s aim was to raise awareness of the need for and benefits of organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Various organisations attended the event. These include the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF), the Centre for Tissue Engineering (CTE), Transplant Education for Living Legacies, the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR), the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and South African Transplant Sports Association (Satsa).
Potgieter’s story:
Potgieter’s daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and required a bone marrow transplant. His son had donated bone marrow to his sister in 2013. Tragically, she passed away in 2014. Fast-forward to 2018, and Potgieter’s last kidney has shut down. He had lost his first kidney in 1988 as a result of suffering from bilharzia. He was recently on dialysis for 10 months, after which his brother donated one of his kidneys to him. As a result of Potgieter’s personal experiences with organ donations, he wanted to raise awareness in the Lowveld regarding the need for organ donations.
Greyling’s story:
Greyling, an attorney, conveyancer and director at Combrink Greyling Attorneys, was diagnosed with leukemia in October 2022. For nine months, she received chemotherapy while waiting for a bone marrow donation. In September 2023, a donation from Belgium came to South Africa, after which she received her transplant. Afterwards, she was in isolation for 100 days. Good news followed, as Greyling is currently in remission.
When Greyling and Potgieter met, he shared his brainchild, the golf day, with her, and the rest is history. “We wanted to raise awareness about everything. Everything you can donate is here,” he said. The numerous organisations provided information and the opportunity for all attendees to sign up to become donors.
One of the organisations in attendance, the ODF, is a national non-profit and public benefit organisation established to address the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa. If you wish to register as an organ donor, visit odf.org.za. “One organ donor can save seven lives; you can save seven lives by registering as an organ donor,” as per their website. Solid organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas can be donated. Furthermore, tissues such as bone, skin, corneas and heart valves can also be donated. If you are a registered organ donor and wish to donate tissues as well, you are automatically registered for that.
The SABMR specialises in matching bone marrow donors for those who require a stem cell transplant. Donors can donate once in their life and must be between the ages of 16 and 45 to register as a donor.
The CTE is a tissue bank dedicated to healing through tissue transplantation. The tissues that can be donated include corneas, bone and tendons, heart valves and skin. Phindile Malewa, co-ordinator of the CTE, said the need for organ and tissue transplantation is vast, but impossible to overcome without people who agree to help others in need, despite the absolute pain and finality of death. The donors will give a second chance to recipients, and these donations will be made when they die.
The recipients of donations were provided with information on Satsa. In 2023, 35 recipients from South Africa participated in the Transplant Games in Perth, Australia, says Potgieter, who is also on the Satsa committee. Satsa’s mission is to promote pre- and post-transplantation quality of life through participation in sports activities and to create more public awareness.
The SANBS was also present, and attendees could donate blood. The SANBS aims to provide trusted blood products and services to all patients at a world-class level of cost and quality while innovating new treatments to enhance human healthcare. By donating blood, you will assist in the medical care of patients.
Potgieter and Greyling said they hope this golf day will become an annual event.
