With a nursing career spanning 30 years, Logan Hospital CNC Alex Cannon is no stranger to caring for others.
But when her son Hamish needed a kidney, Alex stepped out of her nursing role and into the operating theatre, this time, as the patient.
“Hamish was diagnosed with Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) when he was about 15-years-old, and it had a significant impact on his kidneys,” Alex said.
“At the time, the renal specialist said he might need a transplant one day, but we never imagined it would happen in his twenties.”
In 2021, following another HSP flare-up that further damaged Hamish’s kidneys, he was placed on the transplant waiting list and began haemodialysis later that year.
Although both Alex and her husband were tested as potential living donors, neither was a perfect match.
Given Hamish’s age and blood type, doctors initially recommended waiting for a deceased donor kidney. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic extended waiting times, Alex asked the transplant team to reassess her eligibility.
After further evaluation, living donation from Alex was confirmed as the best option and in June 2022, mother and son underwent surgery at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Alex said the transplant transformed Hamish’s life.
“He completed his engineering degree, moved to Scotland, and is now working, travelling, and thriving,” she said.
“The transplant team ensured his care was transferred to a local team in Scotland, and he continues to have regular check-ups with them.”
For Alex, living with one kidney has forever changed her life, not due to any physical limitation but because the gift of donating her organ saved her son’s life.
This DonateLife Week, Alex hopes sharing her family’s story will inspire more families to start conversations about organ donation.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to see him healthy again,” she said. “As a mum, you just do what needs to be done. If I had to do it again, I wouldn’t hesitate.”