Today, Eben’s parents share their journey.

1. What is your baby’s name, age, and where do you live?
Eben is 18 months old. We live in Pretoria.

2. Which tissue did your baby receive, and in what year?
Our baby received a donor heart valve and artery in 2025.

3. How long did your baby wait before receiving the heart valve?
A few days.

4. What was life like before the surgery? What challenges did your baby and family face?
His left pulmonary artery was narrowed, so blood didn’t flow to his left lung. He was very tired, and his development was delayed. He had to receive oxygen at home to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level. Eben’s journey included open-heart surgery shortly after birth, time on an ECMO to support his heart and lungs, multiple procedures to improve breathing and blood flow, six life-saving blood transfusions, and months in the ICU surrounded by dedicated medical teams.

5. Describe the moment you were told a donor heart valve had become available for your baby. What emotions did you experience?
We didn’t actually realise this was happening and what it meant. It took us some time to comprehend the situation. We didn’t know that tissue transplant was possible prior to his surgery.

6. What is life like now after the surgery? How is your baby doing today?
He is growing, taking his first steps and starting to say his first words. He has so much strength and joy and no longer needs oxygen.

7. What message would you share with families who are currently waiting for a transplant for their child?
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. It is important not to feel like you are alone in this.

8. Why do you think organ and tissue donation is so important?
If you are a donor, you could potentially save multiple lives, including the life of a small baby.

9. If you could describe the gift of donation in one word, what would it be?
Grace.