August is National Organ Donor Awareness Month and according to government, the serious shortage of potential donors remains a great concern as the number of patients waiting for transplants continues to increase.
According to statistics, there are approximately 4 300 South African adults and children awaiting a life-saving organ and cornea transplant.
The Organ Donor Foundation, a non-profit organisation that was established in 1988, thus took the responsibility on itself to build a foundation of public trust and confidence, and to instil a willingness and enthusiasm in all South Africans to offer the gift of life through organ donation.
The foundation says one person can potentially save seven lives by donating one heart, one liver, one pancreas, two lungs and two kidneys.
TRANSPLANT STATISTICS
South Africa: 2013
There were 566 organ and cornea transplants. 335 of these were solid organ transplants broken down into the following:
Hearts: 25 adults
Lungs: Seven adults
Livers: 37 adults , two adolescents and 16 paediatric
Simultaneous kidney/liver: One adult and one paediatric
Kidneys: 222 adults, four adolescents and three paediatrics
Simultaneous kidney/pancreas: Six adults
Pancreas: One adult
Pancreas after kidney: Three adults
A total of 231 adults, adolescents and children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant.
For more information visit the Organ Donor Foundation website
