Ocean Grove mum Katrine Swander praises ‘heroes’ who saved her daughter

An Ocean Grove mother-of-two has praised the “heroes” who donated their loved one’s organs and saved the life of her daughter, who is about to start school.

Ocean Grove five-year-old Riley Swander is starting grade prep later this month thanks to the gift of organ donation. Picture: Mark Wilson.

A five-year-old from Ocean Grove will start primary school on the Bellarine Peninsula this year after receiving a life saving organ donation when she was only one.

Riley Swander was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening condition called biliary atresia days after she was born.

After months in and out of hospital, battling infections, and undergoing tests and surgeries, Riley developed sepsis due to a deadly infection around her liver.

She was put on the waitlist for a liver transplant in 2020, however when a donor liver became available, Riley’s body rejected it and she was on life support within days.

Mum Katrine Swander recalled the “heartbreaking” moments her family was uncertain whether Riley would survive.

“It’s incredibly difficult when you go through that as a parent and you just want them to be able to reach those milestones and do all the things that you see every other kid getting to do,” she said.

Riley Swander, 5, was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening condition called biliary atresia days after she was born. Photo: Supplied.

The mother-of-two said the first few years of Riley’s life were extremely difficult for the entire family.

“Riley’s older brother Liam was just getting ready to start prep so that was really a traumatic time for all of us,” she said.

“Having to spend time away from (Liam) was also difficult.”

Following Riley’s transplant rejection, her dad Rob was preparing to donate part of his liver, when they were told a liver from a deceased donor was available.

Mrs Swander said Riley’s second liver transplant was a success and she had gone on to become a “strong, brave and beautiful” girl.

“Now that we’re here and have gone through all of that we’re beyond grateful,” she said.

“All the work that Riley’s done to catch up with her peers, including a lot of occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy, to be able to start school, it’s just incredible.”

Katrine Swander said her daughter Riley, 5, had gone on to become a “strong, brave and beautiful” girl. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Mrs Swander said she was beyond grateful for the “heroes” who chose to donate their loved one’s organs.

“We think of those families often and the fact that in their darkest hour they were able to make that decision and offer us hope and give us that gift of life, we are more than grateful every day,” she said.

Mrs Swander said her little “wild child” has experienced a range of emotions in the lead-up to starting school later this month.

“I don’t think the reality has quite hit Riley yet, but she’s very excited to be with her big brother and to see all her friends at the playground,” she said.

There are currently 1800 Australians on the waiting list for an organ transplant, according to DonateLife Victoria.

Anyone over the age of 16 can register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au.

Originally published as Ocean Grove mum Katrine Swander praises ‘heroes’ who saved her daughter