For more than six years, Mohamed Zayd’s nights were spent connected to a dialysis machine while other children slept. Then, after years of hope, prayers, and an ABO-incompatible living donor transplant, everything changed. Today, he’s back at school, playing with friends, and discovering the simple joys of childhood that a donated kidney made possible.

1. Which organ did you receive, and in what year?
A kidney in 2025.

2. How long were you on the waiting list for a kidney? 
5 years.

3. What was life like before the transplant? How did you spend your days?
I was on dialysis for 6 and a half years from the time I was 1 year 9 months old. My mum did my dialysis every day at home. I  had to make sure I was always home for dialysis and couldn’t go to school. My dialysis would last 16 hours overnight and I had one extra 2 hour session during the day. I had to keep myself very clean and away from germs to prevent infections. I couldn’t travel anywhere or play like the other kids my age. I took over 21 different medications daily while I was on dialysis. I had weekly injections as well. My days were spent like clockwork for over 6 years.

4. Describe the emotions experienced when you were told your donor is a match?
I was excited and a little scared and my family was also very excited. It was an answered prayer after a long time of waiting. We couldn’t believe that it was finally happening!

5. What is life like now, after the transplant?
I can go to school now and I’m able to drink as much water as I want without worrying about restrictions. I can swim and play with friends and no longer sit and watch while everyone has fun around me. I’m also allowed to enjoy time away from home and go on holidays. It really is a wonderful gift. We are thankful to God everyday for this blessing. 

6. What advice would you give patients on the waiting list? 
Just stay positive and keep praying. Never give up and always try to spread awareness as much as you can.

7. Why do you think there is a shortage of donors in South Africa? 
Many people are not aware that they can donate their organs and haven’t been educated about it. Living donation is something that very few people know about, because while were looking, we had to explain that you can live a perfectly healthy life with 1 kidney and recover fully after donating part of your liver. We need to educate our youth on this important issue so that we have more living donors.

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