Organ donation: Melbourne mum waiting for kidney wants more people to sign up as donors

A MELBOURNE mother who has been waiting for more than three years for a new kidney is calling for more people to sign up to become organ donors.

Sally Yeung, pictured with daughter Stephanie, 9, has been waiting for a kidney for three years. Picture: Mark Stewart

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AFTER the birth of her daughter Sally Yeung felt constantly tired, achy and she began losing her hair and appetite.

Doctors blamed it on the reality of those few relentless months of motherhood, but she knew something was amiss.

Blood tests eventually uncovered that she had systemic lupus erythomatosus, an auto-immune disease that affects many organs and tissues, including the kidney.

The pharmacist tried everything to keep her immune system from attacking itself, including chemotherapy, but four years ago she was told that her kidney had been badly damaged and she would need to start dialysis.

The machine would take over the role of the kidneys until they could find her a new one from a deceased donor. While she waits the days quickly turn to years. It has been three so far.

Each day she has four dialysis treatments, which she fits in around caring for her daughter, Stephanie, who is now nine.

“I drain fluid into my abdomen and back out several times a day,” Ms Yeung said. “It is a bit restrictive, I have to make sure wherever I go that I can still do dialysis.”

Sally Yeung, pictured with daughter Stephanie, 9, has been waiting for a kidney for three years. Picture: Mark Stewart

The average national wait time for a kidney transplant is almost four years, according to Kidney Health Australia.

While she waits, the Templestowe mother is determined to stay optimistic.

“At first I was quite devastated, I didn’t want dialysis and I didn’t want a transplant, but I have a medical background so I know it’s the best option for me,” she said.

“All I can do is wait, but I try to focus on keeping myself healthy; trying not to get sick, and going to all my medical appointments.”

Donate Life wants to end the wait for the more than 1500 people who need organ transplants by encouraging more people to sign up to become a donor upon their death.

For the first time Australians will be able to sign up to the Australian Organ Donor Register online.

Donate Life Victoria State Medical Director Dr Rohit D’Costa said many people were unaware that only one per cent of patients who die in hospitals are eligible to become organ donors.

“Donation is precious and it is rare,” Dr D’Costa said.

“To ensure every potential donor has the chance to transform lives, we need Victorians to register their donation decisions and to let their loved ones know.”

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