You can help save seven lives
Northglen News chats to an organ donor recipient and his fellow Glenashley resident who is on the transplant list waiting for a pair of lungs. The duo will be at tomorrow's blood drive at the Harvest Church in Durban North.
LA LUCIA resident, Pippa Coote, has once again organised a blood drive to help restore bloodstocks of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). What’s more the blood drive, to be held on 2 December at the Harvest Church Hall from 10am to 6pm, will also provide some exposure for The Sunflower Fund and the Organ Donor Foundation (OFD).
The aim of the event, said Coote, was not only to facilitate blood donations on the day but also to encourage people to register as bone marrow and organ donors. “Ultimately, the goal is save as many lives as possible,” she said
Last week, the Northglen News caught up with two Glenashley ODF volunteers, one of whom is a donor recipient and another who is still on the transplant list. Shaylene Perry (32) is patiently waiting to receive a life-saving pair of lungs. This after she was diagnosed with lymphangioleiomyomatosis (aka LAM) six years ago. The rare disease affects one in nearly half a million people. The wife and mother of a two-year-old girl was placed on the transplant list eight months ago when her condition deteriorated.
According to Perry, her illness has robbed her of many experiences people often take for granted.
“I can’t run after my little girl, nor can I work or go out for very long. I am looking forward to going back to being me. At the moment I am watching life from the sidelines,” she said.
She continued, saying that she was grateful to have a chance at a new life as there are many who don’t have that option, and that cases such as her fellow volunteer, Henk Goris’s, instill her with hope of a future. Goris (24) received a donor kidney 25 months after he was diagnosed with kidney failure at the age of 22. The student said his desperate search for an organ began after an unknown blood virus attacked his heart and kidneys. Treatment healed his heart, but soon his kidneys began to fail. To prolong his life while he waited on the transplant list, Goris had to endure several dialysis treatments per week. Like Perry his life was on standstill.
“While waiting for an organ, your life is impacted immensely. Being on dialysis meant that I couldn’t be away from a hospital for longer than two days. An organ donor does not only save a life, but they give new life, full of opportunities,” he said. Goris is now pursuing his honours in environmental management.
A registered donor has the potential to save the lives of seven recipients, and also to improve the lives of over 50 people through their donations. “At the end of the day, you can specify what you wish to donate, and it only takes two minutes to register. Anyone can register, regardless of their age or health,” he said.
Register online via www.odf.org.za. Contact Pippa on pippa@sproutconsulting.co.za.
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