AUGUST is National Organ Donor Awareness month, and this year’s top priority is educating South Africans about organ donation and encouraging citizens to sign up as organ donors.
This month the nation also celebrates women and, by linking the two themes, it’s hoped the conversation becomes more relevant.
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Women are believed to be more likely to discuss organ donation, but are disadvantaged by socio-cultural discrimination when seeking treatment for chronic conditions. Women are also more likely to donate kidneys for transplants than to receive them.
A women-founded and run NPO – Transplant Education for Living Legacies (TELL) – aims to tackle this gender inequality by suggesting strategies to improve the participation of women in the transplant process through education and awareness.
Who is TELL?
TELL was created with heart, for hearts (and other organs).
One of the biggest problems in South Africa is the process of identifying and referring potential donors.
There is already a national shortage of organ donors, and the lack of education around the need is hindering the progress.
In South Africa, the donor’s family has the final say in whether or not organs are permitted to be donated.
TELL’S goal is to help educate potential donors, as well as medical healthcare professionals, and break the stigma and misinformation around organ and tissue donation.
Awareness is key, which is why open, honest conversation is South Africa’s best chance to increase the number of donated organs.
TELL’S mission is to end the waiting list by changing and leading the conversation around organ and tissue donation in South Africa.
For more information or to become a donor, email stella.dekock@tell.org.za or contact Stella de Kock on 082 785 2530.
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