Save lives by saying ‘yes’ to becoming an organ and tissue donor

SOUTH AFRICA is a nation of champions and world firsts. We recall the proud moment when the first heart transplant was performed 50 years ago by world-renowned surgeon Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital on December 3, 1967.

South Africa is still considered a leader in the field of transplantation. We are known for our world-class transplant centres around the country, with academic hospitals training fellows from all over the world, and especially from Africa.

We have many other proud firsts, including the first HIV-positive donor to HIV-positive recipient kidney transplant, performed by surgeon Elmi Muller from the University of Cape Town and her team at Groote Schuur Hospital recently.

The world’s first penis transplant was performed by Professor André van der Merwe and his staff at Tygerberg Hospital in December 2014.

Despite these achievements, the public are slow to register as organ and tissue donors and, most shockingly, are not prepared to donate despite being willing to receive if they need a life-saving organ.

Recent surveys performed by the Organ Donor Foundation show that 71% of South Africans are not willing to donate their organs, yet 77% would accept an organ.

Alarmingly, only 8 000 of the 50 000 citizens who should be receiving dialysis are being treated in the country.

That means 42 000 are left to die, or just don’t know they are suffering from renal failure.

By signing up as an organ and tissue donor, you can change that.

Kidney transplantation is an easy and very cost-effective alternative to dialysis. South Africa has world-class facilities in the state and private sectors.

There is no reason why we should have one of the lowest percentage of transplants performed in the world.

We could all be part of our drive to saving 1 000 lives today by registering as an organ and tissue donor.

Becoming an organ and tissue donor is a wise thing to do. Register today and be a proud donor.

The Organ Donor Foundation is a non-profit charity established in 1988 with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa.

As the national umbrella body for the promotion of organ and tissue donation, the foundation is actively involved in educational and publicity programmes directed at the public.

We measure our success of public awareness with our database of registered organ donors.

Visit the Organ Donor Foundation website at www.odf.org.za, or call toll-free to 0800 22 66 11 and register.

You will receive an information pack with an organ donor card and stickers.

Most importantly, we ask you to discuss your decision with your family. Ask them to please, “say yes”, to organ donation. Samantha Nicholls Organ Donor Foundation executive director