Parents host Organ Donor Awareness Day after daughter (3) receives liver transplant
Although the road to recovery continues for Chi-Nelri, the donation of part of an organ was crucial for her survival.
An Organ Donor Awareness Day was held at Northmead Square on September 21, in a bid to highlight the importance of being an organ donor.
The event was co-hosted by Chivon and Steve Smith, the parents of Chi-Nelri Smith (3), who are from Petit, as well as representatives of the Organ Donor Foundation.
It was previously reported by the City Times that Chi-Nelri underwent a living donor liver transplant in April due to a higher than normal cholesterol count (high 20s). The condition is known as familial hypercholesterolaemia.
By April 11, Nelri’s cholesterol count was 5.9, after she received a part of her aunt Deidré Cronje’s liver.
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Chi-Nelri on the road to recovery
“The event was to highlight the importance of being an organ donor and encouraging others to become donors,” said Steve.
“We know the feeling of not being able to find a suitable donor immediately and it is a very scary feeling.
“You often do not think about how bad a situation can be when someone is in need of an organ until you or a loved one is experiencing it.
“I have shared my daughter’s story with so many people in the hope that they would become aware of the shortage of organs and become donors.”
Both Steve and Chivon are organ donors and had around 13 sign-ups on the day of people who are now also organ donors, a number that Steve is proud of.
For more information visit the Organ Donor Foundation on www.odf.org.za
