Rose-Marie Human from Centurion has lived with her donated kidney for 32 years! What an inspiring journey!

1. Which organ/tissue did you receive, and in what year?

Kidney, 1988.

2. How long were you on the waiting list for your organ?
I can’t remember, but not long.

3. What was life like before the transplant? How did you spend your days?
I could not eat, was tired and had no energy.

4. Describe the emotions experienced when you received “The Call” for your transplant?
I was living in Swakopmund at the time. It was 07h00 on a Monday morning when my Dr from Groote Schuur phoned and asked how quickly I could get to Cape Town. The next few hours I was so busy organising flights and getting my son to boarding school, that I did not even have time to comprehend what had happened. I felt excited and scared, but so blessed.

5. What is life like now, after the transplant?
I can LIVE life.

6. What advice would you give patients on the waiting list?

To keep on going and to have faith.

7. Why do you think there is a shortage of donors in South Africa?
People don’t know how being a donor can change lives.

8. If you could describe transplant in one word, what would it be?
LIFE.