In September 2007 my younger brother was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure at the age of 20. My mom was going to be a donor but due to complications with some of the tests she was unable to. We waited for a kidney but my brother lost his battle at age 22 on 11 July 2009. Our whole family has become organ donors (even before my brother passed away) and by doing this we hope that we can stop at least one other family from feeling the heartache that we are feeling now. Imagine living in a world where you have organs waiting to be transplanted instead of having recipients waiting for transplant.

PLEASE NOTE: Chantelle and her family have embarked on an awareness campaign to promote organ donation amongst their family, friends and in their community. We thank them for this.

By Sanjay Maharaj, heart recipient

We all at some time in our lives have thought about it, and like everything else that goes on around us we place it in the back of our minds. The only time we refer to it is when it stares us in the face. Like everything else murder, armed robbery, hijacking, rape and crime in general its impact is only felt when it happens close to home. Then we are concerned and want to do something about it and when it affects our loved ones we are up in arms.

Well isn't it time we stopped thinking about what we can do and started doing what we should. Let me first address the myth that surrounds organ donation. As a donor you are giving someone else a second chance at living a normal life again. No one is waiting for someone else to die so as to benefit from their demise. The donor is a normal individual who unfortunately passes on due to, in most cases, an accidental incident. As a donor you are authorizing the use of your organs and this is the greatest gift anyone can give. Remember our organs are of no use being in a grave or incinerated in a crematorium. Your organs are donated to the recipient; it can never be sold for any sort of gain.

Now you may be asking the question, who are you to tell us what to do? On the 09/10/2009 I was a recipient of a heart. Two years prior to that I was diagnosed with cardio myopathy. The muscle of my heart was inflamed by a strain of the flu virus. I was referred to a cardiologist by my GP who diagnosed that there was something wrong with my heart during a routine check-up. After doing an echo, ECG and several other tests I was told that the only way to determine what the cause of my condition was to do an angiogram. The result of that was I had no blockages and the heart was inflamed. In my case there was no alternative and in time the only solution was a transplant. For the next two years I took the prescribed medication and lived a normal life, but my heart was in continuous failure.

The amazing thing about your body is that it always gives you subtle hints that something is amiss. Now most of us ignore this and the reminder keeps coming in different forms. In May/June 2009 I began to lose my appetite and I was retaining water but didn't know it. I was getting more tired more easily and I would go to bed tired and wake up tired. For the last two years I had this cough that wouldn't go away. I tried every cough remedy there is and even traditional home medication, but to no avail. It was after my transplant that we found that the heart had swollen to almost three times the size of my palms and was pushing against my lungs, the cause of my continuous cough.

I spent three months in hospital, one and a half in Westville Hospital and the remainder at Ethekwini Hospital and Heart centre. On the 6th November 2009 I was sent home after a successful heart transplant. I NOW KNOW THAT IF I HAD ANY DOUBTS THAT THERE IS A GOD OUT THERE, THEN I HAVE JUST BEEN REMINDED. The milk of human kindness is still flowing very strong, because I would not be here if it was not for the unselfish nature of another human being. This same unselfish nature exists in all of us. We just need to be reminded from time to time that as humans we have the capacity to create miracles. It should not be strange to use because if we are made in the image of our LORD then we have even the tiniest ability to do as the almighty would. The question now should be how soon can I register as an organ donor and give the gift of life.

IT'S A MIRACLE - In November 2003 my Husband Graham went into kidney failure due to a hereditary disease "Polycystic kidneys". Three years prior to this he had symptoms of kidney failure and I had the tests done at the Donor Clinic in Durban, the results were that I was not compatible but the results were recorded at the foundation. When his kidneys eventually failed three years later he was sent to the Donor Clinic at St Augustine's Hospital to register to go on the Donor list. On checking his file they told him that because of the medicines of today I was compatible [a miracle], so more tests, this time I was compatible and we had the transplant on the 10/03/2004 at St. Augustine's Hospital. The transplant was a success. Prior to his transplant Graham was on dialysis which did not agree with him. After each session he would have to be hospitalized. I believe that by giving him a kidney so soon after his kidneys failed, him not being on dialysis for long and also the treatment received in and out of Hospital has made this transplant the success it is. I have registered as a donor. In terms of being a Live donor, I think the treatment towards the donor after the operation needs to be re-evaluated. I had no counseling with regards to the after effects. But I am fine and fit and Graham is doing very well. I am so happy that I donated my kidney to my husband. Having him with me today is worth all the "PAIN" we were married 30 years in April 2009.

Dear donor family. Herewith I would like to thank you for the decision to donate the organs of your beloved. Without the lungs I received, I would have had less than a year to live. I've had problems with asthma since my youth and since I was 46 years of age, I've also suffered serious, irreversible emphysema. I am now 54. Since 2005 I had to use 18 hours of an increasing volume of oxygen a day and my condition systematically deteriorated to the extent that I was ultimately left with only 10% of my lung function. Later, 24 hours of additional oxygen a day was not enough.

To be connected to pipes and an oxygen tank day and night, made my life unbearable for the past four years. I was housebound and only the most complex arrangements enabled me to get to my doctor for my tests and examinations. Beyond that, I was able only to sit at home fighting for breath. The lightest activity, like taking a couple of steps or taking a bath, was so taxing that my life had become a burden. My only solution was a double lung transplant. I was on a waiting list for two years and three months before the operation at the end of November 2008. I have great sympathy with your loss and, at the same time, tremendous gratitude for your decision (in spite of your own bereavement) to donate your loved one's lungs so that I could have a normal life. It is now 16 months later and I have clearly been blessed with a second life. This is but the beginning of my recovery process, but I already feel like another person. I walk around easily; I again enjoy the freedom to leave the house and can drive to town without help. I also exercise on the treadmill every day and it's great to see how my muscles, which had atrophied over the years, are returning. My doctors are very happy with my progress and the lungs function even better than they had expected. My lung-function now exceeds 100%. To me it is a miracle that enables me to watch my grand-children growing up. Again many thanks that you, in your time of intense heartache, were prepared to help someone else. I will always think of you and my donor with the deepest gratitude. Kind regards, The recipient.

Earier this year I lost my beloved mother due to kidney failure. She was diagosed with renal failure 5 years ago and I saw the agony it put her through. Shortly before she passed on she was on a list of people waiting for kidney transplants and since I was not legible to be a donor I have decided to donate my organs to those whom I can help. Any form of donation is of vital importance because you never know who might be in need of it. The value of a soul is worth more to the Lord than anything else. I would have given anything to have been a match for my mother but as I wasn't and she didn't live long enough to receive a kidney, I pledge myself to be in service of others in anyway I can and this being one of them. I plead with everyone to take a minute to consider organ donation because you could save a life and help a family keep their loved one in the process.

As an infant I was diagnosed with haemolytic ureamic syndrome (Gasser's Syndrome) and was hospitalised many times. At the age of 22 years, as my kidneys were deteriorating rapidly, I received a kidney from my 24 year old sister (relative live donor). This has had an incredible impact on my life and as I am about to celebrate 20 years of excellent health, would love to share this to help inspire others. I competed in the World Transplant Games in Manchester in 1995, and have run a number of marathons (Two Oceans)as wel l as completed several Argus Cycle Tours (sub 4 hrs in 2007). I am married and have 2 wonderful children who are an amazing blessing to us. I would be really honoured if you could use my story to promote the positive impact organ donation can have on one's life and the lives of those around you.

18 years ago my neighbor gave birth to a beautiful little boy named Dian. Dian was a very happy active little boy who became my daughter's best friend. They played baseball, danced at sweet 16, they were together since they were 4 yrs old. They argued but no matter what they were like family. Everyone thought they dated but they didn't - they were best of friends. Before my daughter left to go to college she told me that she had to see Dian as he was going to college and she was going to a college far away. That was the last time she would see her very best friend alive. On September 29, 2009 Dian died in a car accident but he still lives on - he was a DONOR. We can't stop crying knowing he is gone, but it does heal our heart knowing he was never selfish and that he decided on his own to put on his license that he would be a donor. That is why my family and I decided to become organ donors too. I tell my story of Dian to friends & coworkers & tell them to think about becoming organ donors. He is gone but never forgotten.

I am currently a student at North-West University's Potchefstroom campus. At school I used to be a very fit young man and I excelled in most sports including rugby and swimming. I love the stage and writing dramas. At the end of my first year in 2007 I started feeling quite tired the whole time and I battled to concentrate. I went to my GP who drew some blood and immediately referred me to Dr Dawood, a nephrologist in Durban.

He gave me the news that I had only 28% percent kidney function and was losing more each day. I was quite baffled because at that stage I thought that I could conquer the world...and sadly I was also just human! I continued my studies the following year. When I visited the doctor in June I got the news that I had so little kidney function left that I had to get a transplant as soon as possible. I felt like the whole world had collapsed under me and I asked the cliché question: "why me?!" I wanted to go on with my studies so I had to go on dialysis which is a terrible thing being strapped to a machine every second day for four hours to survive.

Then the build up started my mom was a compatible donor, but the medical aid was unwilling to pay for the donor's operation. A few friends found out, they started a trust and the rest is history. My friends in my boarding facility in Potchefstroom did a bike tour from Potchefstroom to Durban to raise money for me, a friend made bracelets that were sold in South Africa, America and even reached China. Ladies held breakfasts, there was a fashion show held at the university of Natal to help me, there was a clay pigeon shooting day held, anonymous people would phone me in the middle of the night to say they have made a donation, a church in the States helped me alot. My church pastor and the church in Kokstad KZN were awesome helping me. I am afraid there is not enough space to mention all the wonderful people that meant so much to me.

God carried me through my final second year exams and by His grace I passed all my subjects even though I battled to speak - my concentration was so low and I had no kidney function left at all. On the 21st of November exactly a year ago I received a kidney from my mother and we had more than double the amount we needed for the operation. To God all the glory. To be perfectly honest if I were asked to do it all again I would. Today I am the prime (head) of my boarding facility and there is not a day that goes by when someone doesn't share a piece of his or her life with me because they feel they, in their suffering, can relate to me. Being able to be there for them and knowing my suffering is helping them to have a better quality life is a gift that no amount of doctors could ever give me. After a year I have 80% kidney function. I am doing sports again and I just finished my degree.

I don't ask "why me?" anymore, but rather thank you that it was me because I have learned so much about myself, other peoples love and that God loves us and whatever happens to us He is in total control of our lives, because it is all part of His perfect plan for our lives! Psalm 30: "Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever."

I received my first kidney on 19/07/1988 in Tygerberg Hospital from an unknown donor. I lived a full life for 16 years and then my body rejected the kidney. My sister, Santie, donated one of her kidneys to me on 03/02/2004. I look and feel healthy and I'm so greatful for this gift of life!

I've always wanted to donate blood, but was told that i could not because of my weight, so I decided that I'll be an organ donor. I was inspired by a movie based on a true story where a child died because of lack of organ donors.

My name is Joel Klompas and I live with my family in South Africa. We lived in Israel for ten years and have since returned to South Africa. In 1992 I finished matric and was due to enroll in the Israeli army. I underwent the psychometric and medical tests but unfortunately the medical tests didn't go well - I was diagnosed with protein in my urine. I was told there was a problem and that they were exempting me from the army on medical grounds. I returned to South Africa and went for further tests with a specialist physician. They discovered that my kidneys were functioning at forty percent. I was still feeling very well and doing my normal activities. In 1996 my kidneys failed and I began dialysis. I was put on hemodialysis but it was not effective and was changed to peritoneal dialysis which worked well. In 1997 I was called for my first transplant but unfortunately it was hyper acute rejection where the body rejects the organ straight away so the kidney had to be removed.

It was really very disappointing but we learnt that we had no option but to move on and I continued with my dialysis. I had my second transplant on my birthday, the 5 November 1999. The kidney was functioning really well. It is now ten years since my transplant and it is a gift from God. I cherish my kidney every day and it is part of the special person who donated the kidney to me. We are thankful and it is very special to wake up with a new organ that is functioning. My donor is my shining star and will always have a special reserved parking in my heart next to my aunt in Canada, who to this very day lives in my heart daily. She was going to donate a kidney to me but she couldn't due to a problem with one of the tests. My aunt is also a very dear friend and this story is written in tribute to her as well as my donor. I know that my donor is watching from up there and we cherish my aunt who is still with us and she is watching my progress daily. I want her to know that we love her very dearly for undertaking such a commitment even though it didn't work; she is still an amazing person for putting her family before herself and trying to donate one of her kidneys to me.

This year, 20 years ago my mother passed away because of a shortage of kidney donors. Ever since she was a young girl my mother was very sick and lost her kidneys due to the illness. She was listed for a kidney but none that was compatible were ever found.

For the last 4 years of her life she was on dialysis 3 times a week. I was only 5 years old when she passed away and she only 29 but at a very young age I decided to become an organ donor to give someone a gift to live, the one gift my mother never had the chance to unwrap!

I have a rare lung disease that 3 in 10,000 people have. My doctor gave me one year to live but by the grace of God I have now survived almost three years. I am hoping and praying that I will receive a lung soon.

I am on oxygen 24/7, house-bound as it is too difficult to move around but I am still praising the Lord every day as I know there is a lung out there for me and I am so grateful that there are people out there who will register.

To all other patients awaiting a transplant, just hang in there.

God bless.

My name is Meena. On 11 March 2006, I was blessed with the ultimate gift of a donor liver after having only been listed for transplant for a month. This was after having endured primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis for 9 years.

To say that the transplant has changed my life is an understatement. This is not a second chance, it is genuinely a new life - one that I am immeasurably grateful for and will treasure for however long it lasts. My family and I cannot possibly express our eternal gratitude to the extremely dedicated team of transplant professionals who we feel are definitely 'doing God's work' through the preservation of life.

My heartfelt gratitude to the donor and her family cannot possibly be expressed through mere words. Suffice it to say that I know there must be a special place in Heaven for people like you. I am now totally committed to the cause of organ donation and do as much as I can, both in my personal and professional capacity, to create awareness of organ donation and to encourage people to register as organ donors. I am also committed to providing whatever support I can to anyone affected by transplantation.

In conclusion, some food for thought: Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.

About three years ago, my aunt was in a serious car accident. All of her major organs were damaged, and the only way to save her life was a transplant but no donor could be found.

After being in a coma for thirty days she died, leaving behind her two young children. It made me realise the seriousness of the donor shortage in our country and also the entire world.

I began reading everything I could find on the subject, wanting to know more. Finally, I asked my parents to allow me to become a donor. They asked me to think about my decision but I knew it was what I wanted to do. I sat down with my mother one day and gave her all the reasons I wanted to become a donor.

She finally allowed me to register as a donor, and she registered too. I decided to tell my story because I want to let everyone know that no matter who you are YOU can make the difference!

In 2004 I was in Matric and busy with preliminary exams when I started experiencing migraines and struggling to see. I visited an optometrist who referred me to a specialist but the specialist could not tell me what was wrong with my eye & later advised me that a cornea transplant was necessary. I went for a 2nd opinion. Various tests were done and the doctor diagnosed it as Hepatitis Keratitis (part of the cold sore family) - it is a virus that causes damage to the cornea.

The specialist wasn't able to do anything; we could only wait for the virus to go into hibernation. My cornea would never heal properly and the virus could return at any time. I went for a third opinion but the specialist could not assist me.

I have struggled for 4 years and was given glasses to help my left eye, which is completely healthy. On renewal of my glasses, I came across a doctor who immediately diagnosed me with the same virus and was able to assist me. My eye was monitored for 2 ½ months (since the virus had been inactive for about 4 years) and I was placed on the transplant waiting list. I was placed on the South African list, which is very long due to the lack of donors, and on the American list. 2 ½ weeks later I received a phone call that a cornea had become available from America. The operation was a wonderful success and I am extremely privileged. My cornea was from a 47 year old donor and the cornea was in excellent condition.

A year later, I was in an accident - a chain hit me on the side of the head causing the cornea to shift out of place. Since then it has been downhill for me. I have been on various medications and various other steroids but my body keeps on rejecting it. The rejection was caused by the accident and not due to my body rejecting it.

For a year and a half I have had to stop doing all strenuous activities i.e. No horse riding or extreme sports. After the first diagnosis of rejection 6 months ago, the cornea is now "finished". I have been placed on the waiting list again in South Africa, America and Sri-Lanka. The specialist has been a fantastic help - he was always honest, informative and went the extra mile to assist me. My case is used as part of his portfolio for motivation to the Medical Board.

Even though it is hard to go through this again, I'm willing because my body accepted it and a small accident damaged it. Now I will give it time, hope, faith and patience in the wait for a new cornea. Even though a cornea might seem like something insignificant to someone else, it changed my life. You are able to see again with both eyes, you are able to function as a whole.

Please consider joining the organ donor register! Give someone the gift of Life! Even in small significant ways we can touch other people's lives!

Dear friend, if you are reading this you probably decided on being an organ donor. There are soooo many people who desperately await an organ or tissue transplant. We receive most of our tissue from abroad as most people in South Africa do not know about organ and tissue donation. I had my 2nd corneal graft in February 2009. Before that I was going blind in my right eye. I was fortunate to receive a 23 year old cornea donated from someone in South Africa! I am on my way to a speedy recovery. Miracles do still happen! Kindly read most of the stories on this site...There are people in need! Give the gift of life!