About: The Organ Donor Foundation

THE ORGAN DONOR FOUNDATION

 
HISTORY

The Organ Donor Foundation was established in 1988 with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns, thus increasing the number of transplants. 

 We also administer an Emergency Flight Plan, which pays for the transportation of vital organs from outlying areas to transplant hospitals. 

WHAT WE DO

• We administer a toll free line providing information to the public about organ donation
• We maintain an informative and easy to use website where people are able to register as organ donors on-line
• We distribute organ donor identification cards and information brochures to the public
• We run awareness and educational campaigns to educate the public and the medical fraternity about organ donation
• We finance emergency flights around South Africa to obtain organs

 STATISTICS

 
To highlight the urgent need for support, here are some frightening statistics: 

• There are approximately 1,400 South Africans, adults & children who are awaiting organ transplants.  These include:  Heart, lungs, kidney, pancreas and liver transplants   
• There are about 3,000 patients awaiting cornea transplants in South Africa
• Over 35,000 people require tissue & bone in the country
• At least 10 people a week suffering from end stage renal failure are sent home to die because of a shortage of space on dialysis machines
• During 2009, only 376 adults and children received a life-saving organ transplant
• 299 adults, 33 adolescents & 16 children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant in 2009
• One donor can dramatically improve the life of 15 patients
• In South Africa only 3 donors per million population is procured

 The above figures are conservative.  There are hundreds more who have no access to hospitals and doctors. 

 HOW TO BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR?

• Phone the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll free line (0800 22 66 11) for information
• They will send you an organ donor card to carry in your wallet and organ donor stickers for your ID book and driver’s licence
• Most important 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.
• Or visit the Organ Donor Foundation’s website:  www.odf.org.za
• THERE ARE NO COSTS INVOLVED IN BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR

 INTERESTING FACTS: 

• The following organs can be transplanted:  Hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers and pancreas
• The following tissue is also used: Corneas, heart valves, skin and bone
• People can agree to donate some organs and not others
• Anyone under the age of 70 who is in good health can be an organ donor
• You can change your mind about being an organ donor – simply tear up your organ donor card and inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ donor

HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVES

 We receive no funding from Government and rely entirely on funds donated by individuals and companies.  We also coordinate a number of fundraising projects and events to accrue further funding.

 If you would like to make a donation to the Organ Donor Foundation, you can make a direct deposit:         

ABSA Bank, Heerengracht

Acc. No: 01273580600

Branch code: 506009

Reference:  Your name and a contact number

The greatest gift someone can pass on is the gift of life.

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