Matthew is waiting for a liver transplant

When he was just 9-years-old, Matthew was diagnosed with a rare liver condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis. The disease slowly damaged his liver and now his only hope is a liver transplant. 

‘I didn’t really understand what it meant at first,’ Matthew says.  

’I just knew I had to go to hospital a lot more than other kids.’ 

Over the years, he faced countless hospital visits, tests and surgeries. Despite all this, Matthew stayed focused on his studies, played sport, and made time for his mates and family. 

For a long time, Matthew kept his diagnosis private. But as the wait for a liver transplant stretched on, he realised he could use his story to help others. 

‘I started talking about it because I wanted people to understand how important organ donation is. It’s not just about me, it’s about all the people waiting and the gift that organ donation is,’ Matthew says. 

He reminds his friends that while he’s able to go to school and live a relatively normal life, others with the same condition are stuck in hospital beds, hoping for a chance at recovery. 

As a senior student at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane, Matthew helped lead the school’s Jersey Day event, raising awareness and starting conversations about donation. He also volunteers with DonateLife at community events. 

‘It was amazing to see everyone get behind it. Just wearing a jersey and having a chat can make a real difference,’ Matthew says. 

Matthew is still waiting for the call that could change his life. He doesn’t know when a donor liver will become available, but he’s not sitting still. He’s using his voice to make a difference and helping others understand the power of saying yes to organ and tissue donation. 

‘I don’t know when it’ll happen, but I’m hopeful. And in the meantime, I want to do something good.’