Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.
Cape Town, South Africa (08 January 2019) – On the 4th of January 2019 Marchelle Lake and 2 other lung transplant recipients hiked up to the top of Lion’s Head carrying 9 special pebbles to honour the 9 people who all received transplants at the Groote Schuur Hospital in the Western Cape.
Groote Schuur Hospital is the first State sector in Africa to offer lung transplants, and since December 2017, the team has successfully operated on 9 transplant patients.
Tanya Bothma, who is 13 months post-bilateral lung transplant, and Anchen Van Dyk, who is only 12 weeks post-double lung transplant, hiked up with Lake to place these art pieces on a rock at the top of Lions Head.
This hike is no easy hike for someone who had been bedbound, attached to oxygen, and having difficulty just walking to the bathroom, so for these girls to climb out of a Lion’s Head to pay this tribute is an amazing story.
“During our hike on Friday we decided to hike up 9 pebbles to the top of lions head. Each pebble was individually painted, labeled and dated.
We wanted to commemorate the bravery and strength of these magnificent heroes, some who have unfortunately gained their angel wings.”
In future Lake would like to make this a tradition, every time a transplant takes place at Groote Schuur Hospital, she would like to go place their stone along side their fellow heroes. In the hopes that these pebbles will touch individuals from all over the world and inspire them.
“We hoping this artwork is preserved and kept safe, as these individuals have gone through so much.
Soon we hope to use this as a monumental piece to promote organ donation, healthy living and keep inspiring individuals. Inspiration has a beautiful double meaning to inspire someone or to inhale. A chance these recipients have been able to get.”
If you come across the pebbles on Lion’s Head, please hashtag #lungtransplantpebbles so the team can see the joy and inspiration they spread.
And click here to become an organ donor, you could help many of get their pebble up on lions head.