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As Women’s Month concludes, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness sheds light on the women who spearhead organ donation and transplantation in the province. Professor Mignon McCulloch, leading the Clinical Unit of Paediatric Nephrology and Solid Organ Transplantation at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, expresses her lifelong passion for helping children, which steered her towards paediatrics.

McCulloch emphasises the team-based nature of medicine, relying on dietitians, nurses, social workers, surgeons, youth workers, and transplant coordinators to provide comprehensive care.

Bongisa Ndamase, a registered nurse with intensive care training, joined the transplant team in 2023, serving as a compassionate guide for donor families and waiting recipients. Ndamase supports children during their wait for an organ, educates them post-transplant, and helps them understand self-care practices for a healthy life.

She reassures families that organ donation does not alter a person’s identity or spiritual legacy. For Ndamase, whose faith provides solace, witnessing a successful transplant and a child’s recovery is deeply fulfilling.

The story highlights a family’s experience with transplantation: nine-year-old Igshaan Louw, diagnosed with kidney failure in 2025, underwent two attempts at kidney transplants, resulting in dialysis. On 25 July 2026, a donor kidney became available, and Igshaan successfully underwent surgery, continuing to receive clinical follow-up to monitor his organ function. His mother shares how the hospital has become their second home, with her son now treating the medical staff as his biological relatives.

Tygerberg Hospital’s transplant coordinator, Dianne Vogt, with 35 years of renal experience, coordinates organ retrieval and recipient care. The process involves medical teams recovering organs from donors, followed by surgical transplantation, all based on strict clinical criteria. Vogt emphasizes that organ donation is a profound act of kindness, leaving a legacy that extends to others.

For Winston Moses, a kidney recipient who endured five years on dialysis before his transplant in June 2025, the transplant has brought renewed hope and the ability to focus on family, work, and personal interests. McCulloch advises families to discuss organ donation proactively, noting that a single donor can transform multiple lives.

For more information, contact the Organ Donor Foundation at odf.org.za or visit the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness portal.