Sandra Venter, Recovery and Awareness Manager at Vitanova believes that everything we do, needs to be in line with the highest ethical and international tissue donation standards. “The way in which we deal with donors today, will determine tissue availability in the future. We treat donors ethically and with the utmost respect during tissue recovery. Consent to donate is always obtained from the donor’s family and we take care to work with them in an empathetic and transparent way.”

Thank you Sandra Venter, for creating safe and ethical donations.
To register as an organ and tissue donor!

It literally ‘takes a village’ to ensure that patients in South Africa get the donated organs and tissue they need. Peggy Tshirushe, Invoice & Administration Officer, is a key part of the team who gets the job done. “It is important that we have good relationships with the doctors we work with and that they trust us. I always remember that I am helping patients at the end of the day, and they deserve my best effort.”

Thank you Peggy Tshirushe , for supporting our teams so well.

Helena Heystek, Operations Director, Captain of Our Ship and Den Mother. “I serve South African patients through enabling and inspiring my team to deliver their best. My vision and hope is that our efforts and collaboration will change the transplantation sector for the better, for the good of everyone.”

Thank you Helena Heystek, for guiding the way!

Tissue donation saves lives.

Janet Verweij, Sales Manager, works with surgeons and patients who face difficult surgical situations, to find solutions. She celebrates every win. “Last Christmas, a surgeon used donated skin to treat a critical burn victim. Three weeks later, he called to say that his patient was responsive and had survived. Such great news was the best start to my new year, ever!”

Thank you Janet, for helping surgeons save lives!

Joanne Ross, Product Specialist. “Every patient’s surgical needs are unique. Surgeons need options to ensure the best possible outcome and fastest recovery for patients. I make sure that surgeons who require tissue for specific procedures have access to a range of allograft options to best help patients. And I am humbled every time donated tissue makes a patient’s life better – it is an honour to witness!

Thank you Joanne, for helping surgeons provide the best possible care.

Sr Lee-Ann Booysen, Donor Coordinator spends her days guiding families to leave a lasting legacy. “I help families understand tissue donation so that they can make an informed choice about donation when a loved one passes away. Families who consider donating during such an emotional time deserve to be supported every step of the way. That’s where I help make a difference.”

Lee-Ann shares her story on our blog here

Thank you, Lee-Ann, for helping families give new life.

Marna Horn, Tissue Coordinator, Centre for Tissue Engineering. “Families are at their most vulnerable when I speak to them about tissue donation. While it is sometimes a difficult conversation to have, I do it because I feel it gives them the opportunity to change someone else’s story. Through donating their loved one’s tissue, someone else can receive the gift of sight or have pain relief or move again. Donating brings hope. And the change it brings, ripples through so many lives.”

Thank you Marna, for making change possible in tissue recipient’s lives.

Tissue donation saves lives. Choose to become an organ and tissue donor.

Vino Govender, Logistics Manager says: “There is never a dull moment for us. Patients’ needs are unique, and we always try to find the best solution for everyone. And then we get the right product to the right place, on time!” Vino and her team distribute donated tissue to hospitals throughout South Africa, and the SADC region.

Thank you Vino Govender , for making the magic happen, on time, every time!

Tissue donation saves lives.

Sarita Mans, Marketing Specialist. “Words have the power to change beliefs and attitudes about organ and tissue donation. The more information the public has about donation, the easier it will be for someone to decide to register as a donor or make the decision to donate when a loved one passes away. I love using the power of words in service of patients who need organ and tissue transplants.”

Thank you Sarita, for starting conversations about organ and tissue donation.

Tracey Gibbs, Tissue Donation Coordinator for the KZN Cornea and Eye Association, has been changing lives for the past 11 years. Besides facilitating cornea donations, Tracey manages bone donation through the Femoral Head Collection programme where hip replacement patients donate the bone removed during their surgery. “All tissue is precious, and everyone can help. Bone donated after surgery helps other patients move better and have less pain. I love being the mediator between the donor and recipients, helping to change lives one donor at a time.”

Thank you Tracey, for those you helped to see again.

Gisele Hayes, Product Specialist. “Equipping doctors with the correct allograft – which is what we call bone tissue and tendons used for transplantation – is so important. Any patient’s full recovery relies on the right allograft used for the right purpose. I love working with doctors to help them make the best decisions when it comes to donated tissue. When a patient regains mobility, it makes my day!”

Thank you Gisele Hayes, for helping patients get back on their feet!

Tissue donation saves lives.

Ntombekhaya Msizi, Administrator. In her role as administrator, Ntombekhaya does her best to ensure smooth processes. “I make sure that our suppliers deliver on time, so that our teams have everything they need, when they need it. That’s my way of helping patients receive donated tissue as soon as possible.” Vitanova has a Donor Memorial Wall which donor families can visit. “I am the first person donor families meet when they visit the Donor Memorial Wall to remember their loved ones. It is a privilege to welcome them and make them feel at ease, and my way of honouring their brave decision to donate their loved one’s tissue.”

Thank you Ntombekhaya, for creating a loving space where donor families can remember their loved ones.

Tissue donation leaves a living legacy. Please register as an organ and tissue donor.

Elize Scheepers, Tissue Coordinator, Centre for Tissue Engineering. “I help families decide about tissue donation by giving them information and guidance, so that they can make informed decisions. It is so rewarding to witness when they see the potential to help a stranger in the midst of their own grief. I believe organ and tissue donation relies on humanity’s compassion and kindness and I see that in my role every day.”

Thank you Elize, for kindly and compassionately guiding families to consider donation.

Tissue donation saves lives. You can too.

Denica Kotze, Logistics Coordinator. “Life is unpredictable. Anyone, at any time can become a patient in need of donated tissue. A big part of what I do is to make sure that all the hospitals that need tissue, have it when patients require it. That’s how I make a difference – 24/7/365!”

Thank you Denica Kotze, your dedication ensures tissue deliveries are on track and on time.

Tissue donation saves lives. You can help.

Annie Strydom, Unit Manager, Intensive and High Care Unit, Netcare Alberlito Hospital. “I have organ and tissue donation in my DNA”, says Annie. Having worked as part of the heart and lung transplant team since 1998, Annie recently launched the Femoral Head Collection programme at Alberlito Hospital, which allows patients undergoing hip replacement surgery to donate the bone removed during surgery. “We had our first bone donation a day after the programme was launched and I am so proud of surgical ward sister Sr Krishnie Govender and her team for their enthusiasm and support.” Donated bone is used to prevent amputation, restore mobility, and reduce pain. “I have been so privileged to make a difference in patients’ lives through organ transplantation, and now through bone donation. I hope to inspire our younger staff to be passionate about organ and tissue donation.”

Thank you Annie, for cultivating a whole new generation of organ and tissue donation champions!

Tissue donation saves lives. A simple choice can make a huge difference.

Anna Tough, a Donor Coordinator at Vitanova says: “I speak to heartbroken families during a devastating time, when I ask if a loved one’s tissue may be donated. I am always inspired by the peace and comfort the decision to donate, brings to families. Once they realise – and it is not always immediate – that their gift will help someone else, it gives a sense of peace.”

Thank you for making a difference, Annatjie Tough.

Alida Rossouw, Product Specialist is passionate about teaching doctors how to use donated tissue correctly so that patients have the best possible outcomes. “Very often doctors are surprised at how many of their surgical problems can be solved through using tissue. I love the problem-solving aspect of my job and I am always grateful when we find a good surgical solution – it enhances the quality of someone’s life at the end of the day.

Thank you Alida Rossouw for teaching others about the benefits of donated tissue. You make a difference in patients’ lives.

Cindy Goldie, Transplant Ambassador and Board Member, KZN Cornea and Eye Association. For the past twenty years, Cindy has been helping families make the difficult, but life-changing decision to donate a loved one’s organs and tissue. “It is always a difficult conversation to have, at an intensely emotional time, which is why it is so important that we speak to our families about our end-of-life wishes. If you would like to be a donor, discuss it with your family. It will make it so much easier for them to consent to organ and tissue donation if they understand what your wishes are, when you pass away. And donating helps bring solace to families. Knowing that a loved one can help so many other people through donation, leaves them with a sense of hope.”

Thank you Cindy, for helping families bring hope and healing.

“I am inspired by the unselfishness of tissue donors and the gratitude of recipients. The Dalai Lama once said that the root of happiness is altruism – the wish to be of service to others.”