For 10-year-old James, the road to a kidney transplant wasn’t an easy one, but it was full of hope, support, and incredible generosity.

Diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease as a baby, James has been receiving care from The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) team since he was just six days old. By the time he was five, it became clear that he would need a kidney transplant. But despite numerous family members stepping forward to offer their kidneys, none were a match.

“It was a difficult journey with an unknown timeline,” says James’ mum, Anna. “We are so grateful to everyone who offered to be tested.”

It wasn’t until a family friend put their hand up that everything changed.

“When our donor offered, we were over the moon,” says Anna. “Their generosity allowed James to have his transplant at just the right time, and he avoided dialysis.”

The transplant surgery was a success, and James is now living a much healthier life. “Before the transplant, I felt very sick. I couldn’t eat or do anything. I was just tired,” says James. “Now, I’m excited to swim and run.”

James and his family are forever thankful to their donor for the life-saving gift they gave him. “They’re now part of our family forever,” shares Anna.

“My donor is very special to me”, says James.

“What they did for me was the most amazing thing I’ve ever had in my life … If you want to be a donor … you can do it to help someone feel better – like me!”

You can register for organ donation via DonateLife.

Your decision could change someone’s life – just like James’ donor did.