For two years, Jim Zisis waited for a phone call that might never come.
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As one of around 1400 Australians on transplant waiting lists, the Mangerton grandfather knew that an organ – a liver in his case – may not become available in time to save his life.
But when the call finally came in the early hours of June 21 last year, it was bittersweet – as it meant another family had lost their loved one.
“I received two thirds of the donor’s liver, a young person got the rest – so the donor saved two lives,” Mr Zisis said. “I’ll be forever thankful.
“Registering to be a donor is a wonderful thing, and I think every family needs to sit down at the dinner table at some stage and discuss their wishes.
“So if the time comes, their family will honour those wishes.”
Mr Zisis, and his wife Dianne, are among five families from culturally diverse backgrounds whose stories will be shared to raise awareness about organ donation in a production at the Bruce Gordon Theatre on Saturday, November 17.
Born in Belgium to Greek parents, Mr Zisis migrated to Australia with his family in 1961. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2006 and in 2013 a routine blood test identified an issue with his liver.
“Scans found tumours, and I underwent liver resection surgery two weeks later,” he said.
“After radiotherapy and chemotherapy I was well for 18 months, and then the tumours returned.
“I started chemotherapy again and was placed on the transplant list in July 2015 – two years later I got the call.”
Since the 12-hour liver transplant at Royal Prince Albert Hospital, Mr Zisis has had to undergo further surgery to resolve a blocked bile duct, but has now recovered well.
“He has to take immunosuppressants for the rest of his life to stop rejection,” Mrs Zisis said. “But we’re so grateful for the gift of life he’s been given.”
Life Giving Stories is being presented by the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service in collaboration with NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service.
It also features the story of local resident Fulvia Nisyrios whose father Domenico Notarianni received a life-saving liver transplant in 1990, and then had to make the heart-wrenching decision to donate his wife Gemma’s organs in 2012.
Life Giving Stories will run from 2pm to 4pm at the theatre at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre on Saturday. Book your free ticket at bit.ly/lifegivingstories2018
One donor can save and transform the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many more. Register your donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register at donatelife.gov.au.