For two long years, Leah Bertacco waited for a call that would not only change – but save – her life. It never came.
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That’s when her mother, Marilyn Walsh, stepped in to donate a kidney and give her daughter another chance at life.
Since her transplant in 2007, the Calderwood resident has become a mother herself, and has changed career paths to help others with health issues.
''You bring them into this world, and you’ll do anything to keep them in this world.''
‘’When I was 21, I became very unwell with an auto-immune disease which led to kidney failure – something doctors told me had a one in two million chance of happening,’’ Ms Bertacco said.
‘’I went on dialysis for two years – going to the hospital three times a week for five to six hours at a time. It was a harrowing experience.
‘’I was on the transplant waiting list for two years and I prayed for that phone call every night. But in the end it was my mum – aged 49 – who came through for me.’’
Ms Bertacco said she will be forever thankful to her mother and – ahead of DonateLife Week – is urging others to join the Australian Organ Donor Registry.
‘’Now I’m a mum I know you would do anything for your child,’’ she said. ‘’You bring them into this world, and you’ll do anything to keep them in this world.
‘’I know I wouldn’t be a mum myself if I hadn’t have had my transplant and I want everyone to know how becoming a donor can change someone’s life.
‘’I also want them to know that even if you have health issues you may still be eligible to be a donor – like I have.’’
Ms Bertacco went from real estate into the health sector – firstly working for NSW Ambulance in patient transport and more recently joining the staff of Wollongong Private Hospital.
‘’It’s my way of giving back and helping people suffering from poor health,’’ she said.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District donation specialist nurse Miriam Nonu urged people to discuss their wishes around organ donation.
‘’We know 1500 people are on the transplant waiting list at any given time – and 10 to 20 per cent of people will die waiting,’’ Ms Nonu said.
‘’It’s important to reduce those statistics by having more people on the registry – and it’s also vital to tell your loved ones your wishes.’’
Use DonateLife Week – from July 31 – to register online at donorregister.gov.au