MATTHEW Legemaate has always been a fighter.
Just 36 hours after he was born, Matthew underwent his first open heart surgery.
After years of heart operations and being put permanently on oxygen in 2010, he was placed on the transplant waiting list, as he was unable to undergo any further invasive surgery.
It was in October last year that the family received the much anticipated call and Matthew underwent a double lung and heart transplant that saved his life, thanks to his donor angel.
ALSO READ: Grateful transplant recipient on a mission
Being in the medical field, Compass Medical Waste Services took particular interest in Matthew’s story and invited Janet and Matthew to talk to their staff.
So moved by Matthew’s journey and his passion to sign up 50 000 new organ and tissue donors and to ultimately save lives, Compass decided to support his non-profit organisation, Hero777, in a meaningful way.
“From the moment the Compass team heard Matthew’s story, we knew we needed to get involved with Hero777 by raising awareness about organ and tissue donation and, in turn, help Matthew to reach his goal,” explained Taryn Murdey of Compass.
The company recently donated R20 000, two banners and a branded gazebo to NPO Hero777 to help increase awareness of organ and tissue donation in South Africa.
“Over and above the funds and outdoor branding donated, many Compass staff and their families have committed to becoming organ donors – a process that only takes three minutes to do, but will change someone’s life forever,” she concluded.
With only 0.02 per cent of the South African population registered as potential organ and tissue donors, the need to increase organ and tissue donation is dire.
One organ donor can save up to seven lives through heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas donation, as well as potentially heal up to 50 others through tissue donations – skin, bone, corneas, ligaments and heart valves.
ALSO READ: Consider becoming a platelet donor
To celebrate Matthew’s one year post transplant anniversary, he, together with a group of 130 supporters, will be cycling in the Tsogo Sun Amashova Classic on Sunday, 21 October from Hillcrest to the Durban beachfront.
Hero777 aims to raise R50 000 through this event.
To make a donation, visit www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/riding-for-hero777 and fill in your name, the amount you wish to donate, a short message of encouragement and select your payment method.
To register as a potential organ and tissue donor, visit www.hero777.co.za.
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