One organ donor extends the lives of four recipients in the Western Cape

Due to the generosity of registered donors, donor families and living donors, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has successfully extended the lives of numerous individuals through organ transplants over the years.

Recently, the donation of organs from a deceased individual made it possible for four individuals on the kidney and liver transplant waiting lists to undergo life-saving surgeries at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH).

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Following these recent transplant surgeries, the medical team has been closely monitoring the recipients’ progress and is pleased with their recovery thus far. The length of a recipient’s hospital stay post-transplant varies depending on factors such as the success of the surgery and the overall health of the recipient.

One of the recipients, Nangamso Liwani, 32 years old and an employee at GSH, recalls the moment her journey towards a kidney transplant began.

In 2016, while at work, she experienced dizziness and blurred vision. Promptly seeking medical assistance from her nursing colleagues, Nangamso’s high blood pressure raised concern. She was swiftly admitted to the emergency unit, where tests revealed that her kidneys were not functioning properly, resulting in a diagnosis of kidney failure.

According to Professor Nicola Wearne, an Associate Professor of Nephrology and Hypertension at GSH, Nangamso has been part of the peritoneal dialysis programme since 2016. Her end-stage kidney disease was primarily due to hypertension. Nangamso had diligently managed her peritoneal dialysis for seven years before her transplant, demonstrating remarkable commitment to her health. She continued to work during this time, and her medical history was relatively uncomplicated at the time of her transplant.

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The news that a suitable donor match had been found left Nangamso overwhelmed with joy, tears of disbelief and a profound sense of gratitude. She knew that her days of dialysis were finally behind her, and she could look forward to a life with a functioning kidney.

Demi Zara Hendricks, a 12-year-old recipient, received a liver transplant at RCWMCH. Demi had been battling biliary atresia since 2011, leading to recurrent cholangitis and a two-year hospitalisation period.

Despite her fears and emotional challenges, Demi felt immense happiness and relief after her successful transplant. With her new liver, she now enjoys better health and eagerly anticipates the day she can leave the hospital, walk freely and return home as a happy, healthy patient.

‘I’m grateful to the donor, the doctors and the nurses for giving me a second chance at life,’ she said.

Professor Mignon McCulloch, the head of the clinical unit for renal and organ transplants at RCWMCH, emphasised the profound impact of organ donation on individuals, especially children, who receive a second chance at life through this selfless act.

‘It is so important to tell your family what your wishes are when deciding to become an organ donor,’ she stressed.

For individuals and families considering organ donation, Dr David Thomson, a consultant surgeon in the Transplant Unit at GSH, assured that donated organs are always allocated to individuals in dire need. Consent from the donor’s family is sought in every case, and privacy and anonymity are meticulously safeguarded throughout the process.

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Picture: Jesse Orrico / Pexels