From a low to a life-changing high

For almost six years Tristram was a regular patient, getting dialysis due to diabetes-related kidney damage.

Undergoing more than 800 dialysis treatments took an enormous toll on Tristam, but his life took a different direction in an instant, thanks to a generous donation from an unknown organ donor.

Originally from Cairns, Tristram is a First Nations man who now lives in Mackay.

At just 13 years old he received a diagnosis for diabetes and has been living with the disease ever since.

By the time he reached his early 20s, he was told that the condition had severely damaged his kidneys.

Sadly, his health worsened over the years until it reached the point where his life was dependant on dialysis treatment.

For many years he became a regular at Mackay Base Hospital's renal unit, undergoing treatment to remove waste products and excess fluids from the body for people with kidney failure.

“Treatment can be a lonely thing,” Tristam said. “When you're doing dialysis it's hard to see anything outside of that.”

Getting onto the organ transplant waitlist was a long and traumatic journey and before he could be considered for such a surgery, Tristram faced one setback after another.

He lost vision in his left eye, developed complications after surgery, battled multiple infections and was even investigated for a rare, potentially terminal disease.

After more than two years on the transplant waitlist, and while battling long ongoing health, personal and financial challenges, Tristram had finally reached his breaking point.

One Saturday earlier this year, during a regular five-hour treatment, he made the heartbreaking decision to completely stop dialysis.

Tristram was preparing to tell the renal nurses he would not be returning again, and he knew it would not be good for his health.

At that very moment, he received a phone call that changed everything.

It was the transplant coordinator in Sydney, they had found a match!

The very next day he underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant in a major Sydney hospital, and Tristram said the transplant had completely transformed his life.

“I feel amazing,” he said. “I have a new lease on life and I cherish every day not having to be stuck to a machine.”

Today, Tristram is focused on staying healthy through exercise, eating well, and keeping up with his medication and follow-up appointments in Mackay and Sydney.

"Everybody at Mackay Base Hospital has been so supportive, especially the renal team."

Tristram is also very grateful to the donor and their family for the second chance they've given him.

For anyone on dialysis, or waiting for a transplant, Tristram has one message: “Just don't ever, ever give up.”

It takes less than a minute to register as an organ and tissue donor.

Visit donatelife.gov.au and click on “Join the register”.

You can also register through your MyGov app.

Then, tell your family you want to be a donor.

www.donatelife.gov.au