Durban organ donor’s legacy lives on
In his final moments, Bryn's mother, Janine Magree made a decision to donate his organs and tissues.
The legacy of a 17-year-old Durban donor continues, three years after his death.
Bryn Magree was 17-years-old when he died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. In his final moments, Bryn’s mother, Janine Magree made a decision to donate his organs and tissues.
“A couple of months before Bryn died, we were at the table having dinner,” said Janine.
“I told the family about Janet Legemaate, a woman I’d met on Facebook. Janet’s son, Matthew, was in need of a heart and double lung transplant after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at birth.”
Janine said the story got to Bryn and got him interested in becoming an organ donor.
“Who knew that we’d be called on to action Bryn’s decision in only a few months’ time,” said Janine.
Bryn’s story went viral on social media and lead to his family meeting one of the recipients, something that does not usually happen.
After seeing the story on a news website, a family member of one of the recipients created a timeline of Bryn’s death and the donation and figured out Bryn had to be the donor.
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Martin Odendaal, an elderly man, had received Bryn’s heart and kept him alive long enough to see his son get married earlier this year.
“Martin told us that he suffers from survivor’s guilt. We, in turn, explained to him that although we may be devastated over the loss of our son, we are grateful that Bryn has left such a positive legacy. What a waste of a young life had he not been able to give his healthy organs to those who had need of them,” said Janine.
The man who received Bryn’s liver is Adriaan Grobler, who now lives in Namibia and was able to see his daughter go off to university earlier this year.
Odendaal and Grobler do a lot of work in their respective communities urging and educating people about signing up to become organ donors.
Janine said they have also received anonymous ‘thank you’ letters from two grateful Zulu men who said they received Bryn’s kidneys, which allowed them to go back to work and support their families.
To register to become an organ donor, visit: https://www.odf.org.za/
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