We're back and ready to ride
We’ve missed you! After a short break, we’re excited to announce our Pedals and Provinces Cycle Tour from Joburg to Cape Town!
Join the movement, spreading awareness and hope for organ donation.
“Many people think organ donation is wrong or goes against cultural or religious beliefs. But when you give your consent, you are giving someone else a second chance at life.”
Mosa Mphore
Join the Movement
The tour is not only about cycling, it’s about unity and hope. Each rider is contributing to the Foundation’s vision of increasing organ donor registration by 20% in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and ultimately, across all provinces in South Africa. Funds raised will support transplant centres and assist patients on their recovery journeys.
Become an organ donor and share your decision with your family.
Donate to support the Pedals and Provinces Cycle Tour and other organ donation initiatives.
Participate in the tour to promote this vital cause and ride for a purpose that can change lives.
Event Highlights
DATE
November 22-24, 2024
ROUTE
From Johannesburg to Cape Town
PURPOSE
To raise awareness and encourage South Africans to become organ donors
Milestone and Update:
The tour is in its final stages of preparation, and we’ve made an incredible shift—from walking 80km in the provinces to now cycling through the Provinces for Organ Donation awareness!
The Johannesburg and Cape Town rides are nearly set, and from November 22nd to 24th, 2024, cyclists passionate about Blood, Tissue, and Organ Donation will join us in raising awareness for these life-saving causes. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to be part of this incredible journey!
Riding for second chances and renewed lives, one pedal at a time.
Pedals and Provinces Cycle Tour
Open-Eye Foundation is dedicated to helping patients on the organ donation waiting list get a second chance to live full, healthy lives again, while inspiring all South Africans to step up and make a difference through blood and organ donation. We do this through various exciting campaigns that can draw positive attention to our mission.
OUR GOALS
To increase organ donor registration by 20% in all Provinces, especially Gauteng and Western Cape
To support the transplant centre and assist transplant recipients on their recovery journeys
To expand Pedals and Provinces to other provinces, engaging audiences all over South Africa on organ donation awareness.
PURPOSE
Pedals and Provinces Cycle tour by Open-Eye Foundation is pedaling to:
Raise awareness and support for Organ donation
Transform lives of patients on the waiting list for organ donors
Foster a culture of generosity and kindness in South Africa
VISION
“A compassionate South Africa, united in unlocking second chances through organ donation.”
Our Core Values
Compassion and Advocacy
We are committed to advocating for individuals in need of life-saving care, especially those waiting for organ donations, by raising awareness and encouraging action through our initiatives.
Community and Collaboration
We believe in the power of unity and working together. By fostering collaboration between individuals, organisations, and communities, we create impactful, life-changing opportunities for those we serve.
Health and Well-Being
We promote healthy living and well-being, not only through organ donation but also by encouraging physical fitness and preventative care, ensuring everyone has the chance to live a full and vibrant life.
Every rider, every donor, and every supporter helps give someone a second chance.
Kidney Recipient Advocates for Organ Donation
Mosa Mphore has dedicated his life to encouraging South Africans to become Blood, Tissue, Organ donors and save lives!
He passionately advocates for breaking down the harmful misconceptions surrounding organ donation, urging everyone to embrace the powerful impact it can have.
“Many people think organ donation is wrong or goes against cultural or religious beliefs. But when you give your consent, you are giving someone else a second chance at life,” Mphore shares.
Mphore is living testimony of how donating organs can give other people a second chance at life.
Fighting to stay alive
In 2011 Mphore’s life took a drastic change when he fell ill and found himself in hospital fighting for his life at a tender age of 22.
“It was a very confusing period for me when I got sick. I would be out and about feeling fine one minute and start feeling extremely nauseous and out of energy the next.”
“I constantly had stomach cramps and was vomiting all the time, unable to hold anything down. This was a huge shock for me as a young man living a considerably healthy lifestyle and taking part in lots of activities, such as running and playing tennis.”
Mosa Mphore’s whole world changed when he was suddenly diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, otherwise known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD), at the age of 22.
He went to see his doctor who discovered that his blood pressure was too high for his age and they suspected kidney failure.
“Doctors took urine samples which showed high protein content. My kidneys were no longer filtering proteins and toxins. It was confirmed at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital that I had end-stage kidney failure.”
“The doctors explained to me that this condition was caused by hypertension which was due to my family history of suffering from this chronic illness.”
Mphore said that the doctors told him that he was lucky to be alive.
“I stayed in hospital for three months and was immediately placed on haemodialysis treatment.”
In haemodialysis, a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from the blood when the kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work sufficiently.
Haemodialysis is the most common way to treat advanced kidney failure.
Mphore says that Life was never the same for him as he was constantly ill and in and out of hospital.
“This continued until I started dialysis at home which was not a good experience either, especially when I had to be hooked up to a machine every four hours for treatment.”
“I was placed on a waiting list for a kidney donation. I could feel my life slowly drifting away and my friends distancing themselves. I was grateful to have the support of my family, a few close friends and my then girlfriend/now wife”
In 2013 Mphore got the lucky call that they found a matching kidney for him and underwent a kidney transplant after spending 2 years on dialysis treatment.
“It took me three months to recover after surgery. Because of what I went through, I have decided to dedicate my life to raising awareness about organ donation by telling my story and teaching people about the dangers of underlying health condition that could ruin ones life.”
Open-Eye Foundation
While in hospital recovering, Mphore gained a new purpose. He made a pledge to use his voice and his story to educate others about chronic illnesses and the vital need for organ donors. His goal was to save at least one other person from this dreadful ordeal.
Out of this journey, Mosa founded the Open-Eye Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about acute and chronic illnesses, as well as the life-saving role organ donors play. Despite the challenges, he remains deeply grateful for his second chance and continues to work tirelessly to ensure that others have the same opportunity.
Today, Mosa calls on every South African to take action: “Start the conversation about organ donation with your loved ones and say Yes! to becoming organ donors. Together, we have the power to save lives.”
Join Mosa in his mission to raise awareness. Become a blood, tissue, or organ donor and give the gift of life.
