Save a life, donate an organ
2008-07-31
THIS year marks the 20th anniversary of the Organ Donor Foundation yet despite many tremendous successful awareness and educational campaigns, the majority of South Africans have yet to commit themselves to becoming organ donors. As long as one individual is waiting for a transplant because a donor cannot be found, the Organ Donor Foundation work will be incomplete, this remains their challenge. August is Organ Donor Month and during this time, the Organ Donor Foundation embarks on extensive awareness initiatives to encourage the public to become potential organ donors. They aim to create an informed and educated public. By reaching more South Africans, they hope to increase the number of organ donors and ultimately the number of transplants performed annually. This will bring hope for a second chance in life to many critically ill patients on transplant waiting lists. To highlight the urgent need for support, here are some frightening statistics: * There are approximately 1 400 South Africans, adults and children who are awaiting organ transplants. These include heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas and liver transplants. There are about 3 000 patients awaiting cornea transplants in South Africa. * Over 35 000 people require tissue and bone in the country. At least 10 people a week suffering from end stage renal failure are sent home to die because of a shortage of space on dialysis machines. * During 2007, only 288 adults and children received a life-saving organ transplant. A total of 356 adults, 29 adolescents and 15 children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant in 2007. * One donor can dramatically improve the life of 15 patients. In South Africa only 3 donors per million population is procured. The above figures are conservative. There are hundreds more who have no access to hospitals and doctors. If members of the public want to find out more information about organ donation and how to become an organ donor after your death, visit www.odf.org.za or call Toll Free 0800-226-611
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