For over thirty years guitarist James Lomas has had his wife’s heart – for the last year he has had the singer song-writer’s kidney too.
Living donor Fiona Lee Maynard gifted her husband a kidney in the hope it would substantially improve his quality of life.
“It was an amazingly courageous decision to make and I am incredibly thankful that she made that decision. It has changed my life for the better,” said James.
In 2021, James was diagnosed with kidney failure, triggered by the rare autoimmune condition Goodpasture Syndrome.
For two and a half years he underwent dialysis at Monash Health, attending five-hour-long sessions three times a week.
In July 2023, the transplant team at Monash Medical Centre operated on the pair.
Sharing their donation journey story with 10 News First during DonateLife Week, the couple urged people to join the Organ Donor Register.
“It does not take much to register as an organ donor. It is absolutely amazing how someone can have a better quality of care or even live because of donation,” said Fiona.
The Monash Health transplant team performs 80 to 100 transplants each year, including around 20 living donor transplants.
The impact of a transplant on a recipient’s health and wellbeing can be immense.
“During my illness we had not been able to contemplate very far into the future at all,” said James.
“Now, we have more looking forward to doing things – making plans for travel, exercise and performing music again.”
To register as an organ and tissue donor, please visit: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today