Sue had a kidney transplant

When she was just 12-years-old, Sue was diagnosed with a kidney condition and told she would need dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. Her childhood was turned upside down, and she faced an uncertain future.  

‘I was at boarding school in Perth – the school nurse had taken me to the GP and then my Aunty took me to Princess Margaret Hospital,’ Sue said.  

‘I had never been in the hospital before and remember being very scared.’ 

Dialysis 3 times a day meant teenage things like sleepovers and sports became almost impossible.  

‘I started my day at 6:00 am and did a dialysis bag change, then would eat breakfast and take about 14 tablets before heading to school,’ Sue said.    
‘When I got home from school, I had multiple bag changes and medication to take before bed.’ 

‘A catheter in my abdomen meant no after school sport., Then I would sleep and repeat.’ 

Then a year later, Sue’s dad took the call that changed everything.  

'My dad took the call in the middle of the night, but they didn’t tell me until the morning,’ Sue said. 

’Secretly I had overheard the phone call and could not sleep the rest of that night. There were lots of mixed emotions.’ 

Now, 40 years on from her transplant, Sue is living an active and full life with her family. Willing to take on a challenge, Sue has found herself competing in 14 Busselton Jetty Swims, 3 Australian Transplant Games and even the World Transplant Games.  

‘Thanks to my transplant I was given the chance to finish school, become a nurse, get married and my proudest achievement – have my 3 beautiful children,’ Sue said. 

‘To my donor family, I would like to say thank you. You were able to say yes to saving other people’s lives when yours was spinning out of control.’ 

‘I now have kids the same age as my donor, and I can’t imagine how difficult that would have been.’   

Sue encourages everyone to consider registering as an organ and tissue donor.  

‘You never know if you could be someone’s hero or if you might need someone to be your donor hero. There are a lot of people out there existing, but not living, that need your help.’