Jeané Petzer, 32, from Nelspruit, Mpumalanga has been living with type 1 diabetes since childhood. Thanks to her mom’s life-saving kidney, she’s now able to enjoy life with her husband and their energetic 3-year-old toddler, a true story of faith, gratitude, and hope.

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

2. How long were you on the waiting list for your organ?
I am very fortunate to say that I wasn’t on a waiting list. As soon as I was diagnosed with kidney failure we started to prepare for the process of a kidney transplant.

3. What was life like before the transplant How did you spend your days?
I had been living with type 1 diabetes since I was seven, so I was used to insulin injections, finger pricks, and regular doctor visits, it was just part of my daily routine. Despite the daily challenges, I never gave up on my dream of becoming a teacher and eventually graduated as a Foundation Phase teacher, working with children aged three to five years old — a job I absolutely loved.

But in 2018, things changed dramatically. I became so weak that even simple tasks like making my bed or climbing stairs felt impossible. I couldn’t keep up with my preschool class anymore, and that broke my heart because teaching was my passion. At the time, I didn’t know it, but those were the first signs of kidney failure.

4. Describe the emotions experienced when you were told your donor is a match?
I felt relieved and deeply grateful. Because of my strong faith, it never even crossed my mind that my mom might not be a perfect match.

5. What is life like now, after the transplant?
Life after my transplant has been an incredible blessing but also a major adjustment. The surgery gave me a second chance, but my journey didn’t end there. I still use my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to manage my type 1 diabetes, and I now take lifelong immunosuppressive medication to protect my kidney. These medicines make me more vulnerable to infections, which meant stepping away from the teaching career I loved so much — something I still miss every day.

Today, I work flexible hours in my dad’s office and from home, which allows me to stay productive while prioritising my health. One of the most difficult moments was being told that pregnancy would be too risky for me, but God had another plan. A dear friend from high school offered to be our surrogate, and together we welcomed our miracle baby boy. He’s now three years old, and he truly is our joy and answered prayer.

6. What advice would you give patients on the waiting list?
“While there’s life, there’s hope” Stay strong in your faith.

7. Why do you think there is a shortage of donors in South Africa?
Fear, and most people are unaware of the importance of organ donation.

8. If you could describe transplant in one word, what would it be?
Life-saving!