Sannie Liebenberg (67) celebrated the 15th anniversary since her heart transplant took place, surrounded by her close friends on Friday, 22 January.
The Toti resident underwent the successful operation at Entabeni Hospital on 22 January 2001 after a virus attacked her heart muscle. “I lived with it for seven years. With every attack, I grew weaker and weaker,” she said.
Sannie was fortunate to receive a heart from a donor in Paddock. “Since the operation I have not had any problems, I’m doing so well.”
So healthy was she after her transplant, Sannie started power walking to keep fit and excelled so much, she represented South Africa in the three kilometre power walk three times at the World Transplant Games. She won two silver and a bronze medal.
After her home games in Durban in 2013, where she won one of her silver medals, she decided to hang up her walking boots. “I’m turning 68 this year, so I decided it was time to slow down. I still gym. I will never stop, as I have to exercise.
To celebrate 15 years is amazing. I thought if I made 10 years it would have been a miracle.”
Sannie urges the public to become organ donors. “There have only been two heart transplants performed in Durban. You can save several lives by becoming an organ donor,” she said.
