When it comes to saving a life, heroes are not always equipped with super powers. Nor do they always face overwhelming odds to save the day.
There are heroes whose legacy lives through the lives of others. Men and women who give the most valuable gift of all. Through becoming an organ donor, there are people who truly give a piece of themselves so that others may life.
But how does one become an organ donor?
Mediclinic Newcastle will host an event on Organ Donor Awareness today, August 31. The event is taking place at Coffee Couture, the coffee shop inside Mediclinic, from 7am until 8pm. Not only will people be educated on the process of becoming an organ donor, but they will have the opportunity to sign up.
Everyone who signs up will get a free coffee from Coffee Couture.
Ronel van Dyk the Unit Manager of the Medical Ward Mediclinic Newcastle will be overseeing the event, with Jenny Ihlenfeldt of Coffee Couture assisting in creating awareness.
Sr van Dyk explains organ donor month means a lot to her, since her nephew required kidney transplants.
“My nephew, Sean Botha, was born with a congenital deformity of both his kidneys. During his Grade 9 year, when he was 15 years old, he had chronic renal failure. This means, his kidney was no longer functioning, no longer able to remove waste products from his body. He was started on dialysis. At first, he was on peritoneal dialysis which meant that he had to be connected to a dialysis machine for 12 hours a day. After a few months hemodialysis was started. He had to go to a dialysis unit three times a week for three to four hours a day to receive life-saving dialysis. Sean was put on the transplant list, becoming one of more than 4000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant.”
On 10 September 2010, when Sean was in Grade 11, his father received a call that a donor kidney was available. Sean received a kidney from a stranger that through his/her selfless act changed Sean’s lives completely.
“It has been eight years since Sean’s transplant, and not a day goes by that he is not in awe of the gift of life that he received.”
Sr Van Dyk explains there are approximately 4300 people waiting for a life- saving organ or cornea transplant, but only 0, 2% of our population are registered organ donors.
On August 31, Newcastillians will be able to meet Matthew Legemaate. This young man faced overwhelming odds when he underwent a heart and bi-lateral lung transplant.
Born with a congenital heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallots and Pulmonary Atresia, he had his first open heart surgery at 36 hours old. He is the seventh person in Africa to undergo a heart and bi-lateral lung transplant.
Due to the complex nature of the surgery, Matthew spent 23 days in hospital, fighting for his life. Now thriving, he shares his stories with others and thanks his donor everyday for giving him a second chance.
Since his surgery, him and his family has continued to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. They truly want to help the 4300 people on the transplant waiting list. You can visit their website www.hero777.co.za to read Matthew’s transplant story in full and learn more about organ and tissue donation.
Be sure to support Mediclinic Newcastle’s drive today. Be a donor and save a life.
