A Tweed Heads grandmother-of-two, who is the recipient of a donated kidney, has shared her experience of recovery. Her story highlights DonateLife week, which raises awareness around organ donations.
NNSWLHD say, “For five long years, three times a week, Eve Martin received renal dialysis at the old Tweed Hospital following the onset of kidney failure”.
“But all that ended two years ago, when the grandmother-of-two became the grateful recipient of a donated kidney, after being rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane to undergo an emergency organ transplant.
“This month, Eve returned to the renal dialysis unit at Tweed Valley Hospital much to the surprise of her specialist nurses, who were delighted to see her looking so well.
“I woke up from my transplant and on the first day felt almost no pain, I was filled with joy,” Eve said.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the staff who cared for me. I was surrounded by nurses so sweet and efficient and doctors who made me feel wonderful. I’m living the dream now. My surgery was a total success, and I urge everyone to register to become an organ and tissue donor.”
DonateLife week
NNSWLHD say Eve is joining doctors and nurses across Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) during DonateLife week (Sunday 26 July to Sunday 2 August), to raise awareness about organ donation.
“Pop-up stalls are being held at Tweed Valley Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital”.
Dr Michael Lindley-Jones, who leads NNSWLHD’s organ donation team alongside Organ Donation Clinical Nurse Consultant Howard Clare, said DonateLife Week provided an important opportunity to remind people to register as donors.
“We are very proud that registration rates across Northern NSW sit well above the state and national averages,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.
High organ donation registration rate
“Ballina has one of the highest organ donation registration rates in the state, sitting at 60 per cent, behind only Bellingen and the Blue Mountains. Every local government area in our District has at least half its eligible residents registered, compared to 41 per cent across NSW and 35 per cent nationally. Close to 139,000 people across Northern NSW have made their decision known.
“What concerns me is the direction of new registrations, across our District they fell 21 per cent last year, in line with the drop right across NSW. Continuing to grow the number of people on the Australian Organ Donor Register is really important, as well as encouraging people to talk to their family about their registration decision. “
Dr Lindley-Jones said it was important to acknowledge the work of staff across the District in helping to facilitate donations.
“Organ donation requires significant mobilisation of staff and emotional resources, and without the dedication of our staff we wouldn’t have the success we do,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.
“NNSWLHD is renowned for its support of the Australian donation program and for the inclusivity and hospitality shown to our visiting partners and we’d like to thank everyone involved in making donation possible in our community.”
Demand remains high
NNSWLHD say, “Despite a strong registration rate in Northern NSW, the demand remains high across Australia with organ donation only possible in rare circumstances, with around 2 per cent of hospital deaths occurring in the specific clinical circumstances where organ donation can proceed”.
“Around 2,000 Australians are on the transplant waitlist, with a further 14,000 people on dialysis. Sadly, more than 50 people die each year while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
“Throughout DonateLife Week, landmarks across NSW will be illuminated in DonateLife magenta including Twin Towns Services Club at Tweed Heads and the Grafton Clock Tower.
“NSW Health is again partnering with Service NSW to put registration in front of people, with prompts across the MyServiceNSW app, service centre screens and Service NSW channels throughout the week”.
Registering takes about one minute at donatelife.gov.au with a Medicare card, or via the MyServiceNSW app. Be the reason that someone gets a second chance at life.
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