TELL - Transplant Education for Living Legacies

August is National Organ Donation Awareness Month

Who is TELL?

Tell (Transplant Education for Living Legacies) was created with heart, for hearts (and other organs).

One of the biggest problems we face in South Africa lies in the process of identifying and referring potential donors. 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.

TELL’s goal is firstly to help educate both potential donors as well as medical healthcare professionals and break the stigmas and misinformation around organ and tissue donation.

Secondly, we want to encourage anyone who wants to donate their organs to TELL THEIR TRIBE of their wishes to be an organ and tissue donor. Awareness is key, and we firmly believe that the most important part of improving organ donation environment is conversation.

Our mission is to end the waiting list by changing and leading the conversation around organ and tissue donation in South Africa.

What is ORGUST?

August is National Organ donation awareness month, and we’re encouraging South Africans to make the decision to become an organ donor. We also know that it is Women’s Month and so, this year we’re linking these two themes to make the conversation more relevant than ever! Here are some fast facts:

• Women are more likely to discuss donation, as men reported feeling less informed about organ donation.
• Access to treatment for chronic conditions such as renal failure are not equal amongst men and women; women are disadvantaged by discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors.
• Women are more likely to donate kidneys for transplantation than to receive them.

As a woman founded and run NPO, we want to tackle the gender inequality that takes place in the organ transplant environment. We suggest various strategies to improve the participation of women in the transplant process by education and raising awareness. #WomenSupportingWomen

Patient Advocates:

Two of the three of our TELL founders are speaking from first-hand experience, having received life-saving lung transplants. This not only gives them a second chance at life, but it places them in a unique position to make a difference in the transplant community. We also have a large number of volunteers who are either awaiting a life-saving organ transplant or they have received an organ transplant. We believe that by using real patients, we are able to put a face to organ donation in South Africa which adds a personal element to transplant. This approach aims to connect with people on a more meaningful level and give them an opportunity to witness how important and life-changing saying ‘yes’ to organ donation can be.

We are more than happy to put the media in contact with a relevant member of our volunteer program - please let us know the nature of your show and we will put forward our speaker recommendations.

For more information:

TELL is more than happy to answer any questions you still have around organ donation.

Please email stella.dekock@tell.org.za for more info or contact Stella de Kock on 0827852530

Find us on Social Media at the following links:

Instagram: @tellorgza

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tellorgza/

Twitter: @tellorgza

Pictured below: Alice Vogt, the first South African to have two double-lung transplants and survive, Alice volunteers her time to encourage organ donation.