The most precious gift of all

THE situation is dire as the call for organ donors goes unheeded by a population who is mostly afraid or uncomfortable with the thought of having their organs live on in another body after their death.

Kidney recipient Julie Anthony and living kidney donor Laurie Smith spoke to us about their experience, in the hopes that they will encourage families to discuss organ donation and make pledges to save lives in the event of their death.

Julie’s story – The Recipient

When Julie, who lives in uMhlanga, went into full renal failure, her family and friends immediately offered to donate.

‘Unfortunately none of my family were medically suitable or able to donate and so the only other option was a non- related kidney donor,’ she says.

I have been so lucky to have had numerous people come forward to offer to be tested and I will forever be so grateful for them.

Laurie came forward after reading my blog (Healthy Kidneys) and expressed her willingness to help, and on her own free will she was tested to see if she qualified as a potential donor…and she did!

Fast forward through months of testing to 24th November 2016 – the day that Julie says she received the best news of her life.

‘My phone rang and a calm voice from Kim, my transplant co-ordinator, said on the other end ‘check your email… you have approval’.

‘I just burst into tears – I couldn’t believe the moment had arrived. It was actually happening. It was real. We did it!

The transplant was booked for the next week.

I wanted to be with Laurie to celebrate, so straight after my dialysis treatment I jumped in my car and drove two hours to be with my kidney sis and celebrate the amazing news together.

On 28 November 2016 Julie underwent her last dialysis session at Umhlanga NRC (which she was doing three days a week) and then flew to Johanesburg.

‘The following morning – transplant day – the plan was for Laurie to go down to surgery first, and then I’d go down a little while after her.

‘Once she had gone into theatre, it hit me – I realised what was about to happen. I was about to get a new kidney, my life was about to change. It suddenly became very real!’

During the long transplant process, the anesthetist sent messages to Laurie and Julie’s family who were anxiously waiting outside, keeping them constantly updated on the surgery and how it was going.

‘When I woke up that afternoon in my glass isolation bubble in ICU, the first thing I wanted to know was if Laurie was OK and if everything had gone well.

‘It was such a relief to know both surgeries were a success and Laurie was fine and my new kidney was producing urine…like a racehorse…for the first time in two years!

‘Apparently the new kidney started working as soon as it was connected inside me.

‘The hours that followed were a bit of a blur, but I do remember the physiotherapist coming into my room to say he would return later to get me out of bed and go for a walk! ‘You can imagine what I told him to go do!

‘Once the pain had eased off and I was over the effects from the anesthetic, I started to feel great.

‘My new kidney, which is located in a space created within the abdominal cavity, was working like a dream and over the next few days my levels started to normalise.

‘It has now been eight months since the day I got my life back and life has just been incredible.

‘I love every minute I get to spend with all the special people in my life and never take these moments for granted. They are real golden moments.’

Laurie’s story – The Donor

‘I became passionate about organ donation when our family received such amazing comfort by the fact that my brother Dayne’s death changed so many lives for the better.

‘At the worst time of our life (he was 18, in 1999), there was joy to be found in the fact that other children’s parents could celebrate life.

‘I knew from that moment that I wanted to do something in his name, and when I learnt about Julie needing a transplant desperately, I knew it was meant to be.

Laurie says the long months and rigorous testing made them impatient at times, but that they were often reminded that all the medical screening undertaken was simply to ensure that they would be safe, that every avenue had been investigated, and that they were both in peak health to undergo the massive procedure.

‘Though we were family acquaintances at the start, the journey to the transplant was one of the most exciting and rewarding times of my life – and I really believe that I’m as grateful to be a donor as Julie is to be a recipient.’

Intensive medical screening is undertaken through an organ donor co-ordinator who oversees the entire process.

The co-ordinator for Laurie and Julie’s transplant was literally in the theater with them during the transplant, and supporting their families waiting anxiously outside with updates throughout.

‘Our families and friends were simply amazing.

‘We will never forget the days and weeks following the transplant when our families were like a superhuman team of angels. Would I do it again if I could? In a heartbeat.

‘Seeing Julie celebrate her new life, wake up and take on the world every day, be so full of joy and energy, make plans for the future with her incredible husband and family… how wonderful that is!

‘Julie has become a part of me, and me a part of her – we are like ebony and ivory – and our friendship is priceless.

We are kidney sisters!’

(For more inspiring transplant stories check out the lovelifegiftlife.co.za/transplant-stories/ link on the website.
The situation is certainly dire.

The reality is that not all people on the waiting list will receive an organ in time.

This may seem at odds with the number of deaths reported daily in South Africa, but many potential donors go unrecognised by medical staff, or families may deny consent if not aware of their loved one’s wishes or if they have been misinformed about organ donation.

A donor’s family ultimately has the final say regarding organ donation, so it’s imperative that the public make their next-of-kin aware of their wishes to be an organ donor.

Facts about organ donation

Two independent doctors have to sign off that you are brain stem dead before you can be considered as a potential organ donor.

Your body is not mutilated, only viable organs are used, and it is still possible to have an open casket funeral.

There is no age limit on becoming an organ donor.

You can save seven lives by signing up to be an organ donor.

Your family still need to give consent, even if you have registered, so be sure to let your family know of your intentions.

In addition to saving seven lives, your skin can be used to help burn victims and your corneas can be used for cornea transplants to restore a person’s sight.

There are no tests required when signing up to be a donor. All tests are done at the time of your death once your family has given consent for your organs to be donated.

Your treating physician is not the same person who does the organ recovery, therefore saving your life remains top priority over donating your organs.

The seven life saving organs are: two lungs, two kidneys, heart, liver and pancreas.
Visit www.odf.org.za to register or for more information.

When a loved one dies

Please contact the Organ Donor Foundation on 0800 22 66 11 Toll Free line during office hours or 082 318 4376 emergency line (after hours).