When seven KwaZulu-Natal athletes participate in the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, next month, theyll be competing in honour of the donors who gave them a second chance at life, and encouraging others to consider becoming organ donors.
Deven Naidu, Sean Samujh, Mark Nortjie, Nora Simpson, Billy Macleod, Anil Balmakund and Vivek Reddy received their Protea blazers at a ceremony hosted by Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre at Mount Edgecombe on Saturday.
These incredible individuals are not only competing at the highest level of transplant sports but are also living proof of the power and affect of organ donation. Each of them has overcome serious health challenges and now stands as a symbol of resilience, purpose and gratitude.
This is more than sport its about second chances, said KwaZulu-Natal Transplant Sports Association KZNTSA chairperson and team member Deven Naidu.
Naidu was the first kidney transplant patient at Lenmed eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre 13 years ago. His wife, Raveena Singh-Naidu was his donor.