Organ Donations... a legacy of hope and love
The heartbreaking yet courageous story of Liezel (44) Reyneke, her husband Tyroone, and their daughter, Zeta, began back in 2002 when Liezel was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She was immediately placed on insulin (three times a day). “Diabetes has a major impact on your body, and Liezel's eyesight started deteriorating. Every eight weeks she had to receive injections in her eyes to delay blindness,” recalls her mother, Katri Lombaard. “In 2022 Liezel received the news no one ever wants to hear - she was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney failure and had to undergo dialysis twice a week for four hours each session.”
This year she was placed on the donor list for a kidney. Sadly, the waiting period is 7 to 13 years. Her specialist advised the family to launch their own campaign for a kidney, as Liezel urgently needs a transplant. Katri explains that they were not allowed to ask directly for a kidney donation. “As Liezel's mother, I felt it was my responsibility to pray earnestly for a breakthrough. The Lord heard our prayers, and it was such an experience to see how everything began falling into place,” Katri shares. “We started a WhatsApp group, not to ask for a kidney, but to ask for prayers.” They needed a venue for an event, and the NG Church in Onrus made all their facilities available free of charge. “The plans for the event came together like a puzzle, with God placing each piece exactly where it needed to be,” she says excitedly. A committee of four women was formed, with each one taking on her share of the work.
A prestigious function was held on 13 August 2025, attended by about 200 guests, including Michelle van Zyl, owner of Gans-Berg Nuus. Popular actor Gerald Steyn from Binnelanders acted as master of ceremonies. The guest speaker for the evening was motivational speaker Lynette Beer, whose theme was: “If you want to, you can!” Lynette also spoke about the South African Organ Donor Foundation, a non-profit organisation, pointing out that only 0.2% of the population is registered as organ donors. “My main goal with the function was to create awareness about organ donation and its importance,” says Katri. “I am so grateful that 53 guests registered as organ donors during the evening - a free and simple process.” In the case of a kidney, donations can also be made by living donors.
Elzette from Blue Berry treated guests to delicious biltong, tomato and chicken soups, served with a variety of freshly baked breads, as well as an assortment of tempting desserts. Katri borrowed plants for décor from Super Plants, whose owner then donated two of them to be auctioned off - one fetching R2,200 and the other R2,300!
A live interview with Radio Overberg presenter Letty-Ann Möller, held shortly before the event, also made a huge difference to the evening's success. Katri had the opportunity to share Liezel's journey from the beginning with listeners, while also explaining the main purpose of the event. “I'm truly grateful for this opportunity, and I believe it will greatly help both us and the Organ Donor Foundation,” Katri said with emotion. It is important to note that if someone wishes to donate a kidney to Liezel, there are no medical costs involved - her medical aid covers everything - Liezel's blood type is O-positive. The Organ Donor Foundation can be contacted at 0800 22 66 11 (toll-free), or you can visit their website: odf.org.za. Registration is quick, free, and it can save lives. As someone once said: “Let us not live only for ourselves, but let us leave behind a legacy of hope and love.”
Hardus Botha
