Sacked Showbiz: Derryn Hinch reveals rift with organ donor’s family
Derryn Hinch has revealed he no longer speaks with the family of the organ donor who saved his life after he became terminally ill with liver disease. Here is why.
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Derryn Hinch has revealed he is estranged from the family of his organ donor, whose extraordinary gift of a liver saved his life.
Hinch has revealed he has not had contact with the family of Heath Gardner, whose sudden death in 2011 resulted in his donated liver, for more than two years after they were distressed and hurt by his decision to start drinking small quantities of alcohol again
“They got very angry when I announced that, ‘yes, I have been having a drink again sometimes.’ Even though I had my doctor’s permission, they did not like that,” Hinch, 76, told the Herald Sun’s Sacked Showbiz podcast.
“I will always recognise that family for what they did and the fact that without them I would not be here.
“I am grateful to Heath Gardner and his family because if the father had not said, ‘hey we have been asked to donate Heath’s organs,’ to his daughter, ‘what do you reckon?’ and she said, ‘why not?’; that would not (have) kept me alive for another decade.”
Hinch said he would dearly love to repair the relationship, particularly with the 10th anniversary of his transplant approaching on July 6 next year. (2021)
“Yes I would, of course I would. I would love to,” he said.
“One of Heath’s people he admired the most was Chopper Read and one of his prize souvenirs was a meat cleaver and written on it was ‘Never plead guilty’ signed Chopper.
“I had seen a photo of Heath and his mate.
“One day I am at Langi Kal Kal prison and a guy walks up to me and I just recognised him from somewhere and I said, ‘you are Heath’s mate,’ and he said, ‘yes, that is why I have come to talk to you.’ I said, ‘I recognised you from a photo his sister sent me.’
“I put my arm around him and slapped myself on my chest where my liver is and said, ‘well here we are, the three of us, together again,’ and he burst into tears.”
Heath’s sister Kimberley Gardner said her family’s relationship with Hinch had started to fray after a 60 Minutes interview in 2012 which centred on her brother’s troubled past and the organ donation.
However she said the split could be mended. Her mother Lynda echoed that sentiment.
“As far as I recall, our relationship with Derryn came to an end as there were some differences in opinions regarding Derryn’s choice to begin drinking again, as we felt that this was not respectful to the second chance that he was lucky enough to receive,” Kimberley said.
“However, even before that we began to drift. After the filming of 60 Minutes it was obvious that Heath was painted to be a criminal, despite what the story was actually supposed to represent.
“After the airing of the segment it was naturally a bit awkward as we could only assume that Derryn may be aware of the plan that 60 Minutes had in mind to display to the country that my brother was some hardened criminal and junkie.
“At the end of the day Derryn is only human, he is still keeping a part of Heath alive by carrying around his liver.
“There is no point carrying on hard feelings as that would be a waste of feelings and emotions. I believe the rift could be mended at some point.
“My only regret is not meeting with the man who received my brother’s heart, as I feel like that would have been a very touching, special moment to meet with him.”
Hinch described the day he was told he had “probably terminal” liver cancer in 2010 as the day he resolved to make every minute count.
“From day one when I was told I had cancer, probably terminal, and probably only a year to live, Chanel (his then wife) and I were due to go to Sydney the next day,” he said.
“As soon as I told her she said, ‘I suppose Sydney is off then.’ I said, ‘why?’ I said, ‘I am no different than I was yesterday, I will be the same tomorrow. If I take that attitude that I don’t do anything I might as well rent a box from the funeral parlour and put it in the front lounge and lie down in it and wait for it to happen.’
“I appreciate the fact that if I had not got a transplant I would not be here, I would never have become a politician.
“Being a senator was one of the great moments and great experiences of my life. Three of the greatest years of my life.
“I am just lucky to still be here.
“When I had my transplant I was taking 70 to 80 pills a day. I am now taking three.
“It puts me in a high risk area for COVID-19. I think I am in the top 4 per cent because of my age and because I have had a transplant, but I am feeling fitter than I have in decades.
“I have started the GOYA club which is an acronym for Get Off Your Arse. I started on January 1 and I walk 5km a day and I have lost 13kg.”
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