Organ donation gave Matthew a second chance at life

Health-e News Organ donation gave Matthew a second chance at life Nine years ago, Health-e News met Matthew Legemaate while he was waiting for a heart and double-lung transplant.

Legemaate, who lives with his parents in Gillitts in KwaZulu-Natal, was born with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot and severe pulmonary atresia.

At the time Health-e News wrote about Legemaate’s journey, he already had numerous heart surgeries and other medical interventions.

At age 13 he was placed on the waiting list for a heart and double-lung transplant.

In 2017, a year after Health-e News’ story was published, Legemaate and his parents received the call they had been waiting for.

“It was an overwhelming moment for me.

I was happy that there was another opportunity for me, but it was also a very sad moment because the donor’s family had lost their loved one.

It was mixed emotions,” he says.

Legemaate received a heart and double-lung transplant at Busamed Gateway Private Hospital in Umhlanga in October 2017.

“I said to myself, now I am no longer going to need to be on oxygen.

I was tired and exhausted from relying on an oxygen concentrator.

I just needed to live a normal life,” he says.

“I am so grateful because I can now do the things I couldn’t do before the transplant, such as sports and being active.” Now at age 27, Legemaate cycles, pursues his passion for photography and is finishing his studies to become a professional chef.

“I am proud to say now I do cycling, pursue my passion for photography, plus I am in my finishing stages at school to become a professional chef, which are things I wouldn’t have done if I was still sick.” Back on the transplant waiting list In 2014, 51-year-old Marilee Chananie from Pinetown received a kidney and pancreas transplant at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg.