Sue had a lung transplant

A person is smiling while sitting in a hospital bed wearing a light blue hospital gown. They are holding a pen and paper, possibly writing or drawing. Medical supplies and equipment are visible in the background on a shelf, and a curtain partially covers the left side of the image.
I wouldn’t be here without my organ donor. I’m so thankful to be alive and surrounded by the people I love.

Sue had a clear plan for her future. She spent her working life helping others as a careers advisor and school services officer, supporting students and guiding them toward their goals. But things took an unexpected turn in 2015 when she was diagnosed with pneumonia and chronic lung disease. 

‘Doctors referred me to The Alfred. They told me a lung transplant was my only option. I was stunned. I’d been on the Australian Organ Donor Register for years, but never imagined I’d be receiving a transplant myself,’ said Sue. 

Before her diagnosis, Sue was living a full and active life. She was working, spending time with her family, and travelling around Australia in a caravan. But her illness changed everything. 

She needed oxygen 24/7 and had to complete a rehabilitation program to get ready for transplant surgery. Even simple tasks like walking around the house or having a shower became exhausting. 

‘If the weather was nice, I’d try to walk to the park which was just 2 houses away. I couldn’t cook much for the family anymore. My life was on hold.’ 

A few months after joining the transplant waitlist, Sue received the call that would change her life. 

‘The transplant coordinator rang at 6 am. He was calm and practical, which helped me take in the news. I was excited and tried to stay calm, unlike my husband John, who was running around like a headless chook!’ 

During surgery, things didn’t go smoothly, with Sue going into cardiac arrest. Her medical team acted quickly to restart her heart. 

‘I still get emotional when I think about all the people who cared so deeply about me even though they didn’t know me,’ said Sue. 

Sue spent 3 days in intensive care. When she woke up, she felt the air return to her lungs and her spirit. 

‘It was incredible to breathe freely again. Recovery was challenging, but on day 13, I was well enough to go home. That marked the start of our ‘new’ life.’ 

Sue and her husband moved from Melbourne to Esk, Queensland 2 years later. She loves being close to her children, grandchildren and great-grandson, who mean everything to her. 

Now retired, Sue enjoys the simple life and is a regular visitor at her local cafe – but she continues to give back. Sue is now a passionate DonateLife volunteer and proudly encourages the Esk community to support organ and tissue donation.  

‘I wouldn’t be here without my organ donor. I’m so thankful to be alive and surrounded by the people I love.’ 

We want all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation. If you want to be a donor, make sure you tell your family and friends.

Registering is easy and only takes one minute. All you need is your phone, Medicare card and one minute to register.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from or how healthy you are — you can still register as an organ and tissue donor.

The Organ and Tissue Authority acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

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