A group of organ donor warriors got ‘down and dirty’ for the cause, participating in the Toyota Warrior Race at Riversands Farm Village on Saturday 5th of October.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Ride for Hope was born in 2018 when Braam Blom cycled 1,800km from Pretoria to Cape Town on a mountain bike, with the key aim of creating awareness around organ donation, and specifically to register as many possible organ donors.
Braam is himself a living donor, having donated a kidney to his wife Belinda in 2012. At this stage, Belinda is on the waiting list for another kidney and receives dialysis regularly.
One of the biggest problems we face in South Africa lies in the process of identifying and referring potential donors. It is estimated that less than 0.2% of the population in South Africa are registered, and currently, there are over 4,300 adults and children awaiting organ & corneal transplants in South Africa. Less than 600 people will receive a transplant and the “Gift of Life” this year, due to this critical shortage. Tragically many children and adults die while waiting for a lifesaving transplant, while others have to undergo dialysis treatment for many years while on the waiting list.
South Africa already has a shortage of organ donors, and the lack of education around the situation is only making matters more difficult. It is also important to note that in South Africa, the donor’s family has the final say in whether or not organs are permitted to be donated.
Ride for Hope’s Event 2019
A group of organ donor warriors got ‘down and dirty’ for the cause, participating in the Toyota Warrior Race at Riversands Farm Village on Saturday 5th of October.
The group of 100 organ donor warriors set off to conquer the Rookie race (5km and 15 Obstacles). The participants included families and friends, all enjoying the day while creating awareness about organ and tissue donation.
Ride for Hope event shirts were sponsored by the North-West University, a proud supporter of the Organ Donation Foundation of South Africa (ODF), and the ODF awareness stand offered the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or sign up as organ & tissue donors.
Ride for Hope is endorsed by both the ODF and Transplant Education for Living Legacies (TELL).
Life is the best gift you can give. It’s why TELL helps educate South Africans about organ and tissue donation. TELL was created with heart, for hearts (and other organs).
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