Sign up as an organ donor and save lives

WITH more than 4 300 South Africans awaiting organ and cornea transplants, a call has been made to those in good health to register as organ donors.

One donor can save up to seven lives.

Registering to be an organ donor is a simple process that can begin either online or by calling the Organ Donor Foundation on their toll free number 0800 22 66 11.

One will then receive a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet, plus a sticker to put on your ID document and driver’s license.

Is it the right choice?

Prior to registering, there are many steps to be taken to ensure one is a suitable candidate and whether this is the path one is prepared to take.

Discussing organ donation with one’s family is a must. Ensuring they are willing to honour your wish is important before signing on the dotted line.

If one changes one’s mind, it is easy to be taken off the donor list by simply tearing up your organ donor card and removing your sticker from your ID document/driver’s license, as well as informing one’s family.

To be eligible to donate, one must be in good health and clear of defined chronic diseases that might adversely affect the recipient.

If you do have a medical condition, this does not necessarily prevent you from becoming an organ donor as the decision about what organs will be transplanted will be established at your time of death.

Depending on your health status at your time of death, the organs that can be donated include your heart, liver, pancreas, kidneys and lungs.

Family importance

Steps one’s family needs to take include speaking to the medical professional attending to you and informing them of your wishes.

Organ donation will be of no cost to your family and the hospital or state will cover all medical expenses from the moment of diagnosis of brain death and once your family has given consent for the removal of organs and tissue.

For more information, call the Organ Donor Foundation on their toll free number 0800 22 66 11.