St Mary MacKillop College students George, Heidi and Caillin Thompson are looking forward to travelling to Sydney to compete in the Australian Transplant Games during these school holidays. “I hope I win a medal” says eight year old George, who has entered in swimming, athletics and soccer, while Heidi in Year 5 is focused on her favourite sport. “I like swimming”.
Year 7 student Caillin Thompson is keen to compete in the swimming, too, as well as athletics and sailing alongside her dad, Pete. But she is also more conscious of the significance of these games, held every two years in Australia for organ transplant recipients, donors and their families. Her hope is “just to be there with my family and support everyone competing.”
She knows that her mum, Sue, was her age when she became very sick and ended up in Princess Margaret Hospital on dialysis, waiting on a kidney transplant at the age of thirteen. Caillin says she was “shocked” to hear that her mum was also at boarding school at the time, away from her home in Mukinbudin. “That would have been scary not having your parents there,” and then “being in hospital away from your friends for such a long time.”
Sue was lucky enough to receive a kidney transplant after a year on dialysis. “I was very excited, but also a little sad that someone had died so I could have a second chance.”
Looking back now, she says “I was probably more focused on what it meant for me rather than the donor and their family. [Now] I’m more aware of the sacrifices my family had to make, too. I guess until you grow up and have your own kids, you don’t realise how difficult that would have been for them.”
The Transplant Games bring together transplant recipients and their families, living donors and donor families to celebrate the second chance at life provided by organ and tissue donation, as living proof of its success. “It also gives you a goal to train for,” says Sue, “promoting physical fitness, which is very important for transplant recipients.”
This will be the first time the Thompson family are competing in the games, which were first held in Melbourne in 1988. They are inspired by the stories of other competitors, many of whom have come back from being extremely unwell to now competing in sport and giving it their best, thanks not only to donors but also donor families who have made or respected the decision. “It is a huge gift to give someone,” says Sue, “and the biggest honour you can give that person is to make the most of that chance.”
Sue will be competing in volleyball and swimming at the games herself, as well as the Dragon Boat race with husband Pete, and joining the rest of her family in the 3km fun run, although, she admits, “it’s more of a walk for me!” She wants to show people that she has made the most of her second chance, and to help promote organ donation in a positive way. “It really is the ultimate gift.”
To anyone who is, or has considered registering as an organ and tissue donor, she stresses the importance of discussing the decision with family members as well. “They still make the ultimate decision if that time comes. By registering you are letting everyone know what your wish is, and it can take the pressure off your loved ones having to make that decision at a difficult time.”
And what would Sue say to her donor family? “Thank you isn't enough. I want you to know I have tried to make the most of every opportunity that has come my way since my transplant, whether that be in school, career, personal life or sport.
“I have three beautiful kids who would not be here without the wonderful gift your son gave me, and I hope they grow up to be as generous as he was.”
