Lung transplant survivor to inspire at awareness day in Port Shepstone

After living with severe lung disease and depending on 24/7 oxygen for five years, Samukelisiwe ‘Samke’ Msomi underwent a bilateral lung transplant two years ago, which gave her a second chance at life.

“Now I want to use that life to give hope to others and raise awareness about the gift that can save another person’s life.”

A prayer and organ and tissue donation awareness day will be held at the Marburg Sports Ground on September 12, from 10:00 to 15:00. Entrance is free.

Samke, founder of non-profit Victim to Victory, combines her healthcare background as a qualified Post-Basic Pharmacist’s Assistant, lived transplant experience, authorship, and public-speaking platform to promote organ and tissue donation awareness, medication adherence, healthcare education, community empowerment, faith-based organ donation awareness, and hope and resilience.

Formerly from High Flats on the dusty roads of KwaNomageje, she now lives in the Western Cape and believes that surviving is not the end of the journey – it is an opportunity to create purpose from pain and use one’s story to change lives.

“My journey did not end with a diagnosis. It became a testimony, a mission and a movement.”

Samke is passionate about increasing awareness and understanding of organ transplant and tissue donation, particularly within communities where cultural, social and informational barriers may prevent people from engaging in conversations about donation.

She understands the significance of receiving the gift of life. She uses her platform to encourage people to learn about organ donation, discuss their wishes with their families and support greater public awareness.

Samke is also the author of Victim to Victory: My Suffocated Journey of Life, a memoir based on her extraordinary journey.

She is a member of the Western Cape Transplant Sport Team. Her involvement represents another chapter of her post-transplant life, demonstrating that it can provide an opportunity not simply to survive, but to live, participate, compete and inspire.

For more information, contact Samke on 066-189-4865.

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