Organ Donation

Save Seven Lives – Become an Organ Donor Today

Organ transplants are undertaken in both government and private hospitals in the Western Cape.  The first heart transplant in the world was carried out at Groote Schuur Hospital in 1967 by Professor Christiaan Barnard.

In the Western Cape today, heart, kidney, cornea and liver transplants are carried out at the following Government Hospitals: Groote Schuur Hospital, the Red Cross Children's Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital and George Hospital.

The Organ Donor Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in 1988, with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns. 

There is an average of over 4,300 adults and children at any given time, waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, in South Africa. Less than 600 transplants are performed each year and many adults and children die waiting for a life-saving transplant. The Organ Donor Foundation is passionate in its drive to help these unfortunate individuals and their families, to stand a better chance to receive a life-saving transplant.

One organ donor can Save Seven Lives by donating their heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas and improve the quality of life of up to 50 more people by donating their tissue such as their skin, bone, corneas and heart valves. 

Did you know, in South Africa less than 0.2% of the population  are registered organ donors? If compared to other countries such as the USA, who have 40% of their population as registered organ donors.

It is so simple, easy and costs nothing to register as an organ donor. You can register online with the Organ Donor Foundation here, or call their toll free line:  0800 226 611. The most important thing is to talk to your family.  Inform them of your wish to become an organ donor, as your organs cannot be procured for transplantation without consent from your next of kin.

Source: Organ Donation Foundation