Cape Town - With at least 20 children on the waiting list for a new heart, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas, the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital has appealed to people to become part of the organ donor list.
Organ donation has become a vital part of survival for many, including the Van Aarde family.
Luke van Aarde’s parents, Randall and Carol, both donated their kidneys to save his life years ago.
Now 18, Luke was born with underdeveloped kidneys, and at the age of two years, was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Randall said: “My son was two years old when I donated my kidney to him. In 2019, my wife donated hers to save our son’s life.
“This gave our son a second chance.”
He encouraged others to do the same.
“All of us have this opportunity, no matter whether it’s your family member, a neighbour or a stranger who needs your help.
“If you had the chance to give someone else a second chance in life, what would you do? You can save many lives by getting involved.”
Randall shared his gratitude for the support received from healthcare workers at Red Cross.
“I can only compliment the team at the hospital. They have been with us every step of the way since Luke’s birth.”
Randall said the family's way of giving back is by talking about the healthcare workers and informing others about organ donation.
Red Cross CEO Dr Anita Parbhoo appealed to the public to embrace the gift of life through organ donation.
“Your decision to become an organ donor can be a beacon of hope for seriously ill children and adults in need. I encourage all people to embrace this opportunity to give someone in need a second chance.”
Professor Mignon McCulloch, head of the paediatric renal unit and solid organ transplant programme at the hospital, as well as the current president of the SA Transplant Society (SATS), said the gift of organ donation allowed both children and adults to return to school and their families.
McCulloch said that South Africa had one of the lowest organ donation rates in the world.
Over the past three years, the hospital has saved the lives of 44 children through organ donation.
To become a donor, visit www. sabmr.co.za, or call Organ Donor Foundation’s toll-free line at 0800 22 66 11 or visit odf.org.za
The organisation will send you a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet.
The organisation will also send you a sticker to put on your ID document and on your driver’s licence.
“It is very important to discuss the decision with your family. Let them know that you want to donate your organs/tissue after death. Ask them to honour your wish when you die,” the hospital said.
There are no costs involved in organ donation and your family will not be responsible for any medical expenses.
Cape Argus