Source: The Advertiser, AustraliaThe year 12 Catholic College student was born with infantile polycystic kidney disease, which is genetic.
In June her mother, Sue, will donate a kidney to Beccky.
The transplant will be Beccky’s second because 10 years ago her father, Paul, also donated a kidney to her.
But 24 hours after the operation Beccky lost about 80 per cent of her new kidney as a result of complications.
Although the doctors weren’t sure how long she would last with the new kidney, in true Beccky form she got four years out of it.
Since October 2008, she has been on dialysis, to which she is hooked up for jl10 hours every night.
“It interferes with everything,’’ Sue said.
“Socially it’s different for her; she can’t really go to parties and sleepovers with her friends.
“It can be difficult to work part time.
“She’s had two nights off dialysis in two years, and that was Christmas Eve and year 12 retreat.’’
Sue said Beccky was still on the donor waiting list.
Her chances of getting a donor are complicated because of the previous transplant, and her immune system is different.
“It means we’re just watching and waiting for the call.’’
If Beccky was lucky enough to get a matching donor, it would mean the option of using one of her mother’s kidneys could be kept in reserve and used in future, if needed.
“We know that if we do get a phone call then some other family has had a tragedy,’’ Sue said.
“We’re very aware of that.’’
For Sue and Paul, the decision to help their daughter by donating an organ was the easiest choice they’ve been presented with.
“The day she was born we made that choice,’’ Sue said.
“I wouldn’t think twice. We are very proud of her.’’
National Organ Donor Awareness Week ends tomorrow and Sue and Paul said there had never been a better time to talk about becoming an organ donor.
“Potential donors need to talk to their family because usually the decision lies with the family,’’ Sue said.
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