Megan Jones receives life-saving kidney after waiting years for call on Gold Coast

A GOLD Coast woman has spoken up about the life-saving organ donation she received — just in the nick of time — after spending years waiting for a kidney transplant.

THEATRE nurse Megan Jonas knows better than most just how valuable an organ donation can be.

The Gold Coast University Hospital nurse has not only worked in life saving transplant operations, she has also been the recipient of one.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes from a young age, she spent a lot of her childhood in hospital.

Despite the best efforts of doctors, her kidneys began to fail while she was at university.

“When I was studying it all started to go down hill,” she said.

Pictured at the Gold Coast University Hospital, Megan Jonas. Picture Mike Batterham

“My kidney and pancreas just began to shut down and I had to put everything on hold.

Ms Jonas eventually had to resort to kidney dialysis for eight hours each evening, as she waited for a donation of a new kidney and pancreas.

The wait hung over the young nurse for the next three years as life slowly drained from her.

“It is a bit hard to describe what it is like being on the list, your life revolves around it, you wait and wait and sit by the phone,” she said.

“You always have that in the back of your mind, even going to a movie you can’t turn your phone off just waiting for it to ring.

“You couldn't go far from home, I could get a call at any time.

Her health deteriorated further and Ms Jonas was eventually admitted to hospital.

“I was close to kidney failure during the final weeks there, it was scary, I would say that was the scariest point.

“My family wasn’t sure I would make it,” she said.

However, the call came.

“I remember the day, I asked them if they were serious, you go into a daze,” she said.

“It was a mad rush to get on a flight and scary still as you can get to hospital and they could call it off.

Three women involved in the Organ Donor program. L-R Amanda Gilbert Donation Specialist nurse and Coordinator organ donations QLD, Megan Jonas Recipient and Kate Dale part of an organ donator family. Picture Mike Batterham

“You wait so long for the call, it becomes part of your life, so when it comes it is unexpected,” she said.

The operation saved her life, and allowed Ms Jonas to go on and help others in her situation.

Ms Jonas said she will always be thankful to her donor and their family.

“I cannot say enough how grateful and thankful that someone made that decision to help someone else at the worst possible time of their lives.

“It is so important to talk to your family so they know, because you never know who's life out there you would have saved,” she said.

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Unfortunately Ms Jonas has since discovered her pancreas had been rejected and was entered back onto the organ donation list last month.

“I am healthy at the moment it is just a waiting game,” she said.

Government data reveals 90 per cent of families uphold a persons decision to donate when that person is a registered donor.

More than 1,400 Australians are currently waitlisted for an organ transplant.

It takes just moments to register online with the Australian Organ Donor Register at donatelife.gov.au.