Stories about organ and tissue donation
How did a donor organ change a recipient's life? And what does donation mean to the donor's surviving relatives? Read the personal stories of recipients, patients on the waiting list, and donor families here.
Soort verhaal
From two transplants to the top of Mont Ventoux
Undergoing two organ transplants: it rarely happens. Arjan Haken (54) experienced it.
'My choice in the Donor Register doesn't actually align with my values'
Marjolein finds it a struggle: registering her choice in the Donor Register. She actually wants to be a donor, but something is holding her back. And she finds that difficult.
‘I was given a second chance, that’s why I want to commit myself’
Wiebe was only 5 when he needed a donor liver. He was saved, but after the transplant, he felt different. Years later, he turned that into action.
‘His death felt less meaningless because of the donation’
In 2014, Martin's father suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage. A long time ago, he had filled out a donor card, and shortly before the hemorrhage, he had spoken to his wife about it: he wanted to be a donor if anything were to happen to him. That decision helped the family in the grieving process.
‘A new cornea? Scary, but it couldn't get any worse’
Harmien (62) had pain in her right eye. The ophthalmologist thought it was an infection. She was given eye drops, but they didn't help. Eventually, it turned out there was a parasite in Harmien's eye.
‘My friends went out partying, I sat on the couch’
After a few surgeries and a long rehabilitation, a donated meniscus turned out to be the solution for Milou's knee injury.
‘Sometimes I am desperate, because maybe I won't make it’
Ambar is waiting. She lives in a no-man's-land, hoping for the solution: a new donor kidney.
‘You can't give someone who is so sick a greater gift’
Nienke suffered a severe brain hemorrhage. The fact that she could give 6 people a better life makes her death less meaningless for her mother, Gerda.
‘I had to give up a lot, but valuable things come back in return’
In 2019, Tineke suddenly became seriously ill: her liver suddenly stopped working. She was lucky: a donor liver became available within a short time. But she had to say goodbye to the life she used to lead. Now, she is at peace with her new life.
