Meet Ashley Stevens, a 52-year-old from Johannesburg who selflessly donated her kidney.

1. Which organ did you donate, and in what year?
A kidney in 2019.

2. How long was your recipient on the waiting list for an organ?
Four years on the transplant waiting list.

3. What made you decide to donate?
I wanted to give back.

4. Describe the emotions experienced when you were told that you are a suitable donor?
I felt proud I could help, but also a bit nervous. But generally, just felt happy to be able to help.

5. What is life like now, after donating an organ?
There is no real before and after, I feel well. The only thing is I can’t take anti-inflammatory or strong painkillers. 

6. What advice would you give people considering being a living donor?
Go into it with your eyes wide open. 

7. Why do you think there is a shortage of donors in South Africa?
Religious reasoning and beliefs around ancestors.

8. What is the biggest stigma/myth you have heard about organ donation?
That doctors will allow you to die and won’t try to keep you alive. 

9. If you could describe donation in one word, what would it be?
A Gift.

10. If you could be any organ, what organ would you be and why? 
Eyes, to see the beauty of life and the world around us.