Have a heart, save a life

It’ll take you less than one minute to register, but for someone out there it could be the most important minute of their life.

Organ donation might seem a little scary but it’s hard to argue the fact that you could save up to seven lives. Statistically there are approximately 4 300 South African adults and children on the waiting list for organ donation at any given time. Not great odds.

A visit to the Organ Donor Foundation’s website will answer all your questions on how to register, who can be a donor, which organs can be transplanted and any other nagging queries.

It is also full of interesting information on how many transplants have taken place over the last few years.

Sadly last year there were only 573 organ and cornea transplants which is a harsh reality when compared to the 4 300 people in need of transplants.

The positive side of things is that in 2012:

• 24 adults and 3 children received hearts

• 8 adults received lungs

• 28 adults, 3 teenagers and 4 children underwent a liver transplant

• 2 children underwent simultaneous kidney and liver transplants while

• 8 adults had simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplants

• 1 adult received a pancreas after a kidney transplant

• 213 adults, 14 teenagers and 11 children each received a new kidney and

• 254 adults, teenagers and children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant.

I encourage you to visit the Organ Donor Foundation or call their toll free number to register. You never know whose life you could be saving.

Details: 0800-22-66-11, www.odf.org.za