Media Release

Channel 9's "The Gift" - RMH organ recipient shares his story

1 November 2007

The story of a young Tasmanian man given a second chance at life through organ donation will feature on "The Gift", a new series on Channel 9, which explores all aspects of organ donations, transplants and the transformation in the lives of organ recipients.

Adam Thomas' story, who received a kidney this year, will appear in Episode 7 of the series, which is on 9.30pm Thursdays.

"The Gift" has already featured the family of Glen Noonan, who decided to donate his organs two year ago after he died from a brain aneurysm.

A Second Chance

Adam Thomas is hoping the Western Bulldogs football team is his lucky charm. The 31-year-old Tasmanian underwent his second kidney transplant at RMH in March 2007, bringing with him a ball signed by Bulldogs players when he had his first transplant nearly 20 years earlier.

And so far, the good luck charm is working. While Adam will need to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life, three weeks after receiving his new kidney, Adam was able to visit Telstra Dome for the fi rst time to cheer on his beloved team.

Adam agreed to share his second kidney transplant experience with millions of Australians for a new television series, The Gift, which aims to demystify organ donation.

Adam’s story of kidney failure began when he was born – one kidney did not work and the other barely functioned. At the age of 10, his body rejected the ailing kidney and two years later he had his first kidney transplant, which worked for 12 years – before his body rejected it when he was 22.

Adam spent six days a week on dialysis for the next nine years. Adam was unable to spend long periods away from home, so had never taken a holiday with his wife, Jodi, or been able to watch the Bulldogs play at Telstra Dome.

“When he was born, he was never going to see his fi rst birthday,” his mother Jillian said before this year’s transplant operation.

“He’s 31 years old this year. We’ve had 31 years more than we were told we would ever have which is just great – he keeps on fighting.

“We’ve waited a long time for this (the organ donation), but to think that it’s probably somebody’s worst day of their life. They have given such a wonderful gift. How do you say thanks for that? It’s impossible; you can’t.”

Kidney transplantation was pioneered by The Royal Melbourne Hospital in the 1960s. Today, there are about 1400 Australians waiting for a kidney transplant – more than any other organ.

Giving hope to people in need

Two years ago, Detective Inspector Glen Noonan died at RMH, after collapsing from a brain aneurysm at his local gym. When asked by RMH staff , his wife Wendy and their family agreed Glen would have been proud to be an organ donor, but it was not an easy decision to make.

“I was in a state of shock that Glen had died and to have to make a decision about organ and tissue donation was extremely difficult because it was something we had never discussed,” Wendy said.

“But as the family began to discuss the idea, the more relevant donation seemed. For a moment, we were able to remove ourselves from our grief and put ourselves in the position of someone waiting for an organ transplant – and the decision was made.”

Many cases are similar to Wendy’s family – a sudden death through stroke, aneurism or accident can create an opportunity for lifesaving organ and tissue donation, but also presents a confronting decision for next of kin in distressing circumstances.

In Australia, around 50 per cent of families do not consent to organ and tissue donation of a loved one, with one of the main reasons being they had never thought about or discussed donation before.

Ms Treasure said: “We find families who do not know their loved one’s wishes are faced with a very difficult decision. Ensuring your family and friends know your wishes, is one of the most important steps you can take.”

Wendy and her family were comforted by the decision their family made to donate Glen’s organs and proud Glen had given four other people a second chance at life.

“I received a letter from one of Glen’s recipients and was overwhelmed by the diff erence it had made to his life and his family. Before, his life was in the balance, and now he is looking forward to a future,” Wendy said.

“Donation has been an extremely positive experience for our family and, although we wish Glen could have had a second chance at life as well, we are pleased to know other people are living their second chance at life through Glen’s gift.”