Paramedic’s plea to kidney donors
PARAMEDIC Rajesh Maharaj has helped save the lives of dozens of accident victims over a period of 17 years. He has also delivered around 30 babies. But this time, the 34-year-old Mayville resident needs your help.
Maharaj was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, last May and his kidney is failing. He is currently receiving dialysis three times a week and will soon be placed on a donor list.
“I have dedicated my life to helping others without asking for anything in return. This time I need your help. I am appealing to
POST readers to become donors. “You could save my life and that of thousands of South Africans. I have so much to live for and there is so much I want to achieve,” said Maharaj, who is single and lives with his parents.
“I had intentions of studying intermediate life support or advanced life support to advance my career but that now hangs in the balance.
“I returned to work in January, and thereafter have gone for dialysis three times a week for four hours. Afterwards, I feel drained,” said Maharaj, adding that members of his immediate family were found unsuitable as donors.
Before diagnosis, Maharaj felt fatigued, had pins and needle sensations in his feet, flu-like symptoms and a severe rash.
“I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with lupus. A day later, I had to undergo urgent dialysis and a blood transfusion. Everything happened so quickly.”
He later learnt the right side of his kidney was bleeding and he ended up being admitted to hospital for four months.
Maharaj said he had not yet been placed on the donor list.
“Lupus attacks other organs, so the doctors need to wait a year to monitor my condition. I should be placed on the donor list in May.”
He said he returned to work in January and went out between four to five call-outs a day.
“Health-wise, I’m coping. I take steroids, which boosts my immune system, but I am hoping and praying I get help as my life depends on a donor.”
For details on registering as an organ or tissue donor, visit the web page of the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa, www.odf.org.za, e-mail marilyn@odf.org.za or call them on 0800 22 66 11.