Double Thanks To Organ Donors

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday October 22, 2008

By KYLIE WILLIAMS

JOHN Miller and his stepdaughter Andrea, of Tenambit, know the benefits of organ donation.

Both have received life-saving livers.

John Miller, 54, received a liver in 1996. Glandular fever in childhood had resulted in the gradual decline of his liver as an adult.

Andrea, 14, was only four when she received a new liver in 1998. Doctors had discovered she had a genetic condition that caused cirrhosis.

Mr Miller met Andrea's mother, Jan, at a support group for liver transplant recipients the year of Andrea's operation.

Both Mr Miller and Andrea had only had an estimated six weeks to live.

They were lucky to have their transplants in time as Australia has a shortage of organ donors.

Mr Miller believes that more people would opt to donate their organs if they realised how common the need for transplants was.

"It's more important than people think," Mr Miller said.

"I never thought that I'd be that person that would need a transplant and Jan never thought she'd be that person who had a child who needed a transplant."

Would-be organ donors should register their intention on their driver's licence and through Medicare.

Hunter New England Health organ and tissue donor co-ordinator Nicole Coleman said people should also discuss their wish with their family.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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