“It was a euphoric feeling; I broke down and cried and thought it is just a dream.”
This was Shane Salvini’s reaction when he received a phone call three years ago that a donor kidney was available for him at the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital in Brisbane.
Agreeing to share his personal story as a strong advocate for Donate Life Week (27 – 2 August), the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service employee is grateful for donors and their families and said without them he and others would not have received such a special gift to be where they are today.
Diagnosed with cysts on the kidney at the age of 30, Shane began his journey with polycystic kidney disease under the care of the Renal team at Bundaberg Hospital. Working as a paramedic at the time, he led a reasonably healthy life for 26 years until February 2023. After returning from leave he was told his condition had worsened and was booked in for dialysis the following week.
“This came as quite a shock to me,” Shane said.
“I knew my time for dialysis would come eventually but didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
“My daughter was getting married the following week so after the wedding I underwent surgery to put in a permacath and started dialysis with the lovely team at the Bundaberg Hospital Renal Unit.”
Referred to as a star patient by the Renal team for his chirpiness and positive attitude, Shane considered himself lucky to have no issues with his dialysis treatment.
“I had no other co-morbidities, and I’ve always had a good outlook on life,” Shane said.
“So I felt I still had the freedom to do the things I wanted to do.”
Five months later, he received the all-important phone call that would give him a second chance at life. Still feeling emotional when recalling how he felt, Shane said he immediately jumped in his ute and made the four-hour trip to Brisbane. He was dialysed the next day and that night wheeled into surgery for a kidney transplant.
Shane is now at a stage where he says life is great. He is thankful for the support from his wife, family and friends, the Bundaberg Hospital Renal team, and staff at the PA Hospital.
“From the time I had the transplant I reset my life and decided this is what I’m going to do now to cherish my kidney.”
Bundaberg Organ Donation Nurse Karen Jenner said volunteers who are willing to share their stories are a blessing for DonateLife.
“I am always surprised at how many people in Bundaberg have had transplants or know people who have,” she said.
“I know for our donor families, being able to see and read about people like Shane who have been given their healthy life back, means the world.
“They just want to know that the recipients of the gifts their loved ones gave have made a difference.”
Karen is grateful for Shane’s help in promoting the message of organ donation and said he is one of her many ‘go to’ volunteers.
“He is always keen to encourage people to talk about organ donation and people respond so well when they see living proof of the difference organ donation makes,” she said.
“Right now, there are 2000 Aussies waiting for a life-saving transplant – children and young people, and some die waiting.
“Everybody’s story reminds us why every registration is important.”
Shane’s advice to those who may be unsure of registering as an organ donor is to find out information, whether it’s through a family member who has already agreed to be an organ donor, or by attending seminars and public information displays.
“My biggest message is to tell your family about your wish to be a donor and if you’re a family member please respect your loved one’s wishes and don’t reverse the decision when they’re no longer here,” he said.
To register as an organ and tissue donor grab your Medicare card and visit Join the register | DonateLife.