Townsville University Hospital nurse Maddy Harland inspires others this DonateLife Week

A North Queensland nurse has shared how a critical transplant after years of putting her passions to the side, has helped her go from ‘strength to strength’. Read her story, and why she is encouraging people to consider donating this DonateLife Week.

Townsville University Hospital nurse Maddy Harland inspires others this DonateLife Week. Picture: contributed

A nurse who was diagnosed with a rare disorder that impacted her ability to move has shared how a transplant turned her life around.

Townsville University Hospital enrolled nurse Maddy Harland fell into a coma at just three days old and by three years of age was diagnosed with Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency.

The disorder is a 1 and 100,000 inherited diagnosis that impacts the body’s ability to remove ammonia from the bloodstream.

Townsville University Hospital nurse Maddy Harland inspires others this DonateLife Week. Picture: contributed

The 29-year-old woman said the disorder affected her life for the worst.

“I’ve always loved horseriding and wanted to be a jockey, but I wasn’t able to fully commit due to my illness,” she said.

“I was lucky to have a fairly normal childhood, beyond the medications and intensely controlled diets. However, as a teenager I began getting very sick repeatedly.”

The young woman said prior to her transplant she was in hospital on average every six weeks including periods in ICU.

Then in 2021 she received a call for a vital liver transplant and three weeks later she received it.

“The call shocked me; I didn’t realise it was the real thing until I hung up the phone,” she said.

“I received a split graft, meaning the liver was split into two halves with the smaller half able to be given to a child in need.

“In the years following my surgery, I have gone from strength to strength.”

She said it was her own journey that inspired her to pursue nursing.

Townsville University Hospital nurse Maddy Harland inspires others this DonateLife Week. Picture: contributed

“My goal is to join the Royal Flying Doctor Service as a flight nurse, to bring critical care to remote communities across Australia,” she said.

The young nurse is encouraging everyone to chat with their family and friends about donating this DonateLife Week.

“If I could say anything to my donor’s family, it would be thank you,” she said.

TUH donation specialist nurse Meagan Baldwin said tragically 50 people die each year waiting for a transplant.

“One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people and change the lives of many more through eye and tissue donation,” she said.

For those interested in donating visit donatelife.gov.au.

Originally published as Townsville University Hospital nurse Maddy Harland inspires others this DonateLife Week