Generous gift of life
A TOWNSVILLE mum has been given a life-saving gift thanks to a generous organ donor.
Angie Snell, 47, has been living with polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition in which clusters of cysts develop within kidneys, causing them to lose function over time and become fatal without treatment.
Ms Snell’s condition began deteriorating two years ago to the point she could no longer work and needed weekly dialysis treatment.
A few days ago she received the good news she was longing for – a matching kidney was available.
“I was on the machine at home when a specialist called and told me I had a kidney and needed to get to Brisbane, it was so exciting, scary but I was in disbelief,” she said.
“I’ve lost a few relatives to being on dialysis so I didn’t want that, my children have the disease too but I’m a lot more positive because there’s a new drug out now that will hopefully stop them from ever having dialysis.
“It’s horrible and can get quite lonely – a lot of friends walk away because they can’t handle seeing you so sick.”
Ms Snell said this kidney transplant means she “can get her life back”.
“I feel really sorry for the family of the kidney donor going through such a sad time but I feel so grateful and I promise I’ll take care of it,” she said. “I only had surgery last night (Thursday) and could be down here (in Brisbane) for up to three months.
“I can’t walk very far at the moment but when I get home I can’t wait to stand at Mt Stuart and look out at the view. I’m going to go bushwalking.”
Kidney health data revealed one in ten Australians live with chronic kidney disease and one in three people are at increased risk of developing a serious condition.
Renal patient Owen Bale, 79, is one of almost 30 Mater Hospital staff and patients who will participate in the Big Red Kidney Walk tomorrow.
He said the event is about fundraising for medical research and educating people on how common the disease is.
“It can strike anyone at any age, it’s quite alarming how many young people are getting it now so I just encourage everyone to look after their kidneys,” he said.
The Big Red Kidney Walk is on tomorrow from 10am to 1pm at Riverway.