South Africa: Organ Donation Gave Matthew a Second Chance At Life
[Health-e] Nine years ago, Health-e News met Matthew Legemaate while he was waiting for a heart and double-lung transplant.
Nine years ago, Matthew Legemaate, from KwaZulu-Natal, was waiting for a heart and double-lung transplant due to congenital heart defects. In 2017, he received life-saving organs after his family agreed to organ donation. Now at 27, Legemaate is cycling, taking photos, and finishing his studies to become a chef. Marilee Chananie, a 51-year-old kidney and pancreas transplant recipient, credits her transplants for transforming her life.
Despite needing dialysis three times a week, she remains active and works full-time. Both Legemaate and Chananie participated in the World Transplant Games, advocating for organ donation. According to the Organ Donor Foundation, one donor can save up to seven lives, but South Africa faces a shortage of organ donors, particularly in public healthcare.
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- Organ donation gave Matthew a second chance at life health-e.org.za
