"This year’s shoot is sublime, but what really takes one’s breath away is the stories shared by our cover model Candice Boucher, our photographer Marguerite and the many of the celebs who participated," says Aspasia Karras, editor of Marie Claire. "Each one of them had a donor-related story to share and one can’t help but to relook this very touchy subject and rethink one’s involvement."

"Our aim this year is to get everyone not only talking about organ donation, but also to sign up to become a donor, or support the ODF financially. I know I will be doing both," concludes Karras.

The special 20-page photo feature in the March issue of Marie Claire not only features the nude celebrities but also shares advice on how to become an organ donor, frequently asked questions and more. From Monday, 18 February, Marie Claire will be posting more facts about organ donation, as well as the behind-the-scenes footage from various shoots on the Marie Claire website and the Facebook page. To follow the campaign on Twitter, follow @marieclaire_sa or search for #MCNaked.

Celebrities taking part in this year’s campaign include:
- Cover star: Candice Boucher
- Models: Rue Essop, Maryke Pieterse, Nicole Meyer and Kate Menson
- The TV Stars: Pearl Thusi and Bonnie Henna
- The DJ: Stacey Norman
- Model and mother: Lee-Ann Liebenberg and her daughter, Gia
- Spud 2 cast members: Alex McGregor, Genna Blair and Rob van Vuuren
- Model: Tanya van Graan
- Comedians: Siv Ngesi, Nik Rabinowitz and Daniel Friedman
- Singer and Idols finalist: Melissa Allison
- Radio talk-show host: Aki Anastasiou
- Olympic swimmer: Cameron van der Burgh
- Sex journalist and blogger: Dorothy Black
- The ‘Ghetto Tech’ DJs, Crazy White Boy: Konstantinos Karatamoglou and Ryan Murgatroyd
- Bar-One Manhunt Season 2 Winner: Lushwill Rossouw
- The screen goddesses: Roeline Daneel, Lalla Hirayama and Carishma Basday
- Lead singer of Lark: Inge Beckmann
- The muso: Benedikt Sebastian
- Designer: David Tlale
- Radio personalities: Damon Kalvari, Bailey Schneider and Rob Forbes
- Designer: Suzaan Heyns
- Rugby players: Keegan Daniel and Craig Burden
- Entertainers: Jonathan Boynton-Lee, Ty Keogh, Heino Schmitt and Bafikile Rapoo
- Heart recipient and photographer of the campaign: Marguerite Oelofse
- Heart surgeon: Dr Susan Vosloo

"Through organ donation, one person could save up to seven lives," says Jooste Vermeulen, director of Communications of the Organ Donor Foundation. "This includes the use of one heart, up to two lungs, two kidneys, one liver and one pancreas. Tissue such as corneas, skin, bone and heart valves could be donated too, resulting in improving the lives of another 50 people."

"Becoming an organ donor is really easy and it costs nothing to register with the ODF. What is very important is to inform your family should you decide to become a donor. This year we want to register 50 000 new donors and we hope that the Marie Claire Naked campaign will help us towards that goal," concludes Vermeulen.

How to register:

Marie Claire readers can show their support by signing up to become an organ donor via the website or at www.odf.org.za, or call 0800-22-66-11 (toll free) for more information. Once registered, one will receive an information pack with an educational leaflet, an organ-donor card and stickers for one's ID and driver’s licence. Most importantly, Marie Claire asks that readers discuss their decision with their families, as they would need to give consent at the time of passing. Readers can also show their financial support by signing up for a debit order online at www.odf.org.za to support the Organ Donor Foundation, which does not receive funding from the government.

About the Organ Donor Foundation:

The Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa (ODF) is a non-profit organisation established in 1988 with the aim of addressing the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors in South Africa through awareness and education campaigns aimed at the public and medical professionals. The ODF is not a medical organization and plays no role in the allocation, or procurement of organs.

Follow the Organ Donor Foundation on Twitter and 'Like' their Facebook page.