Donate an organ, save a life

Organ donation is often a deeply personal decision influenced by cultural beliefs and family considerations.

While more South Africans are showing interest in becoming donors, the reality is that only 0,14% of the potential donors give consent each year.

City resident Lindy Login said she would become a donor as she wishes to be cremated and if she could save someone’s life with her organs, then all the better. “I would like to be cremated so if any of my organs could be used to save someone’s life, especially a young person’s, I would,” Login said.

I know it can be a disconcerting matter for the family, but the [the harvesting of organs] can be done sensitively and hidden with clothes for a funeral

To understand other perspectives, The Witness asked readers on Facebook if they would become donors and why.

Ramitha Siriparsad and Prishania Singh Sewlal concurred with Login regarding being cremated and therefore not needing their organs.

Maggie Rungasamy commented: “I am an organ donor. If I can save someone’s life, it’s an honour.”

Eve J Chengan shared similar sentiments about family, stressing the importance of the family’s consent as the next of kin may refuse the operation due to personal reasons so it is best to “ensure your next of kin and family are aware, and fully agree.”

Another Facebook user, MatAmy Timm said: “I’m a registered donor for organs and tissue because of my mom. As a donor’s family, it was a hard journey and you always feel like in the moment of making the decision, you don’t want someone else to have what kept you alive as a foetus. You almost want to be selfish and that’s understandable.”

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Yet, for all the goodwill expressed, South Africa struggles with a low organ donation rate.

According to the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF), out of an estimated 60 000 potential donors annually, only 92 consent to donating their organs.

South Africa has an average 500 000 deaths that occur every year, Stats SA has released. Of this, 12% are accident-related. Apart from the low donor rates during the Covid-19 pandemic, the ODF experienced a 60% decline in donations.

Cultural barriers, lack of communication, and limited resources further complicate efforts to raise awareness and encourage more people to become donors.

The impact of organ donation extends far beyond the act itself, as shown in the story of Lois Freshwater Arntzen’s husband, who received a life-saving cadaver kidney.

We are extremely grateful to the family that lost a loved one. February will be 12 years. It was life-changing

For those interested in becoming donors, the Organ Donor Foundation advises contacting a transplant centre or tissue bank in their area or calling 0800 22 66 11.

Information is also available at www.odf.org.za