Tell raises awareness about organ donation this Organ Donation Month
JOBURG – It is also important to note that in South Africa, the donor's family has the final say in whether or not organs are permitted to be donated.
Did you know that August is not only Women’s Month but also Organ Donation Month?
Transplant Education for Living Legacies (Tell) is a women-founded and run NPO which focuses on raising awareness around organ and tissue donation in South Africa.
Tell project manager Stella de Kock explained that Tell’s goal was firstly to help educate both potential donors and medical healthcare professionals and break the stigma and misinformation around tissue and organ donation. Secondly, they want to encourage anyone who wants to donate their organs to ‘Tell their tribe’ about their wishes. “Awareness is key and we firmly believe that the most important part of improving the organ donation environment is conversation,” said De Kock.
“Our mission is to end the waiting list by changing and leading the conversation around organ and tissue donation in South Africa.”
De Kock shared the following facts concerning organ donation:
- Women are more likely to discuss donation as men reported feeling less informed about organ donation
- Access to treatment for chronic conditions such as renal failure are not equal among men and women. Women are disadvantaged by discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors
- Women are more likely to donate kidneys for transplantation than receive them.
“As a women-founded and run NPO, we want to tackle the gender inequality that takes place in the organ transplant environment.”
De Kock suggested various strategies to improve the participation of women in the transplant process including raising awareness by publishing gender-specific data for dialysis and transplant centres; education and workshops to eliminate gender-bias with institutions and healthcare providers; and the establishment of gender-specific support groups.
“Transplant teams that are more sensitive to the social complexities of women’s lives may lead to increased understanding of the effects of renal disease and indicate measures that need to be in place in order to address this gender disparity.”
De Kock said two of the three Tell founders speak from first-hand experience, having received life-saving lung transplants. “This not only gives them a second chance, but it also places them in the unique position to make a difference in the transplant community.”
Follow Tell on Instagram: @tellorgza, Facebook: @tellorgza and Twitter: @tellorgza
