Organ donation gave Rechelle a second chance at life
- Monash Medical Centre, Nephrology
- 1 min read
When Rechelle Coombes received the telephone call notifying her that a donor kidney and pancreas may be available, she was about to head to the pub with friends. Instead, she found herself preparing for an operation that would change the course of her life.
For Rechelle, a deceased donor transplant offered the possibility of a future without dialysis for kidney failure and insulin injections for diabetes. She had been on the transplant waitlist for 2 and a half years when the call came from nephrologist Professor Peter Kerr at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton in early 2026.
‘I can’t thank my donor and their family enough,’ said Rechelle. ‘I’ve been given this second chance.’
Since her transplant, Rechelle has returned to study and is pursuing psychology, inspired by her own experience of the close connection between physical health and mental wellbeing.
‘I want to work with other people who have had chronic illnesses and diagnoses like this and really give back.’
The difference donation makes
Kidney and pancreas transplantation can have a profound impact on recipients’ lives.
‘A transplant dramatically improves people’s length of life, but also their quality of life,’ said Professor Bill Mulley, Head of Transplant at Monash Health. ‘People are freed up, they’re not tied to a machine. They can work, travel and have more options than being on dialysis.’
Right now, thousands of people in Australia are waiting for life-saving organ transplants.
‘There are always more people waiting than there are donors donating their organs. There are people spending years on dialysis, where their health is not great, and they are at an increased risk of dying.’
Register for organ donation
During DonateLife Week (26 July to 2 August), people are being encouraged to register as organ and tissue donors and inform their family of their wishes.
Registering takes around one minute, and one organ and tissue donor can help many people.
‘Transplants are a phenomenal gift that someone can give to another at a very tragic time, and they are truly life-changing for recipients,’ said Dr David Antognini, Intensive Care Consultant and Medical Donation Specialist at Monash Health.
In 2025, 40 families said ‘Yes’ to organ and tissue donation at Monash Health. Their decision enabled nearly 100 transplant opportunities.
Family consent is always sought for organ donation, which is why it is so important for people to talk with their next-of-kin about their wishes.
‘You can register yourself on the DonateLife website today and have that conversation with your family tonight, so that everybody is aware of your wishes.’
Rechelle’s message is simple: if you can register, do it.
‘The only way we can fix this is by increasing our organ donation rates,’ Rechelle said. ‘It’s so important that you not only tick that box but tell your family about your intentions and why you want to do it.’
To register as an organ and tissue donor, visit the DonateLife webpage.
