Video Transcription

Jess’s story – receiving an organ donation

My name’s Jessica, I’m 20 years old. I was born with a condition called biliary atresia, which is a blockage of the main bile duct. I needed an operation when I was 4 weeks old called the Kasai procedure to join some bowel to the liver to hopefully drain out some of that bile. That partially worked until I was nine, when I needed a transplant.

Within a year, my energy levels picked up, and I was able to travel. Last year, in 2011, I went to Papua New Guinea and trekked the Kokoda Trail, which was the best and hardest experience of my life.

My family was very supportive when I was sick. Everyone had to sacrifice something. My sister, Bianca, who was 7 years old at the time, had to stay with other family members for over a month, which would have been hard on her. My parents had to come in and out of work because we lived about an hour away from the hospital, so someone was always by my bed or staying at the hospital with me.

Words can’t describe how grateful you are to be given a second chance. I have written letters to my donor family, where I described how sorry I am for their loss, but also how grateful I am. I keep my liver healthy and take every opportunity that comes my way. I’m very grateful and don’t take this second chance for granted.

I’m looking forward to the future—hopefully to travel more, maybe one day become a nurse or a paramedic, or find something else I can do as a career. I love my job, but I think I’d really enjoy being a nurse.

Organ and tissue donation is very important to talk about with your family. It’s crucial to know the wishes of your loved ones for when they’re not here, so they can give someone the second chance that I got. Giving the gift of life is the greatest gift.

I look forward to the future and every day that comes with it because I don’t take it for granted.

Video by Donate Life