Inspiring: Brave Kahler waits for gift of life for second time

A Toowoomba woman received her first organ donation at just five-years-old and is now on the wait list for another donation again. Here’s how you can help people like her.

After receiving a lifesaving liver donation at the young age of five, one of the region’s strongest residents is now on the waiting list for a new kidney.

While DonateLife Week ended on Sunday, the push to encourage organ and tissue donors to register continues.

Kahler Baker was born with Alagille Syndrome – a rare, genetic condition which can affect various organs including the liver, kidney and occasionally the heart.

She was immediately placed on the waiting list for a liver and received the donation when she was just five-years-old.

“In 1994, I had the liver transplant, which was a pretty big thing for such a little person to go through,” Ms Baker said.

“Thankfully in a way I don’t remember much of the trauma side of it, but not a day goes by where I’m not thankful for what that has done for me.”

But the fight hasn’t stopped there for the now 32-year-old, who has been waiting for a kidney for about two years, with the possibility waiting an additional five.

“Before my kidneys started deteriorating, I had no issues but life has become a bit different now,” Ms Baker said.

“While you’re on the waiting list and with a medical condition, it limits what you can do – I get tired very quickly and at the moment I’m dialysing three days a week.”

But the brave Ms Baker has a strong support team alongside her, in her parents and high school sweetheart Michael Baker, who she married in 2014.

After a long journey which started in 2018, the couple have now found a surrogate that will assist them in one day becoming parents.

Ms Baker’s mum Leanne Rissman said she and her husband couldn’t be prouder of their daughter.

“I know I’m bias because I’m her mum, but she is truly so inspirational … she honours the donation so much by living her best life every day, as much as she can,” Ms Rissman said.

“We are so proud of how she handles everything life throws at her and are so grateful for her donor and their family.”

But with 13 million Australians aged 16 and older who are eligible to register but haven’t, Ms Baker is calling on the community to sign up.

“Having the conversation with family about organ and tissue donation is important, but you really need to register so your wish is granted,” she said.

“It only takes two minutes to register and donations allow people like me to live their lives, grow up and get married.”

Register to become and organ and tissue donor online at donatelife.gov.au.

Originally published as Inspiring: Brave Kahler waits for gift of life for second time