Six-way kidney transplant boosts altruistic donor rates

AUSTRALIA’S first six-way live domino kidney exchange has led to an increase in altruistic donors who are prepared to give up an organ to save a stranger’s life.

Six way transplant 6 month on

AUSTRALIA’S first six-way live domino kidney exchange has led to an increase in altruistic donors who are prepared to give up an organ to save a stranger’s life.

Today marks six months since the Herald Sun revealed the extraordinary medical feat that saw

five people donate a kidney so their five loved ones could receive an organ.

An altruistic donor was the sixth donor who allowed the other matches to be made.

One person waiting on the transplant list also received an organ.

Of the 12 people who gave or received an organ in the historic operation, 11 are thriving.

Sadly, one recipient lost her life.

Monash Health head of transplantation Associate Professor John Kanellis paid tribute to mother-of-one Brylie Vines, who died after receiving her transplant.

He said she was greatly admired for her wonderful spirit and resilience.

“We are deeply saddened by her passing, and our deepest condolences go to her family and loved ones,” he said.

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The remaining Victorians are enjoying a quality of life that was once unattainable.

Daily hospital visits have dwindled down to monthly, energy levels are soaring and now they are free from their dialysis machines, holidays are possible.

Robert and Patricia Macdermid have already been to the Grampians, Apollo Bay and East Gippsland, but in the next six months they will be able to visit their daughter for the first time in London.

“We are rapt,” Mrs Macdermid said.

“I never would have thought that life could be this good.”

She gave her kidney to a stranger so her husband could get an organ.

“I have to keep reminding myself that I only have one kidney, it’s made absolutely no difference at all,” she said.

But it’s made the world of difference to her husband - his medication has been slashed, he only visits the hospital once every third week and his depression has lifted.

“Before the transplant he was too tired to go anywhere, he could barely make it to the letterbox and back and he was starting to lose his memory,” Mrs Macdermid said.

“Now we are travelling all the time, a week here, a week there - it’s wonderful.”

Australian Paired Kidney Exchange Program director Dr Paolo Ferrari said he was encouraged by the increase in enquiries from good Samaritans after the six-way exchange attracted global attention in May.

Organ and Tissue Authority CEO Yael Cass confirmed the historic occasion had boosted the number of enquiries and enrolments in the programme.

“It’s one of the most amazing gifts that anyone can give,” Royal Melbourne Hospital nephrology director Professor Steve Holt said.

His patients have all returned home and are starting to enjoy a new-found freedom.

“At the six-month mark they are eating and drinking what they like, visiting the hospital less and their quality of life has started to increase dramatically,” he said.

Austin Health Associate Professor Frank Ierino said all its donors and recipients were also at home and stable thanks to the huge team effort.

In September the Paired Kidney Exchange Program reached the milestone of 100 transplants.

Kidney Health Australia national medical director Dr Tim Mathew said these exchanges open the door for patients who were previously considered unlikely to undergo a transplant to receive a life-saving new kidney.

www.donatelife.gov.au