When Woorabinda community member Uncle Mervyn embarked on a day of learning, he never expected to learn his own transplant journey would begin that very same day.
The Queensland Kidney Transplant Service based at Princess Alexandra Hospital facilitated a yarning workshop in Rockhampton earlier this year for patients with chronic kidney disease.
PAH Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kidney Health Worker Brett Mooney said the workshop brought together staff from Rockhampton Hospital and community members from Woorabinda, Gladstone and Rockhampton.
“The sessions are designed to provide culturally appropriate education and a detailed understanding of the transplant journey, particularly what happens when a patient receives the call that a donor kidney has become available,” he said.
“All of the participants were either already active on the transplant waiting list or undergoing assessment to become listed.”
In a fortuitous turn of events, one of the attendees was Uncle Mervyn who shared his story of travelling to Brisbane earlier this year for a transplant opportunity that unfortunately didn’t go ahead.
The session ended and Uncle Mervyn started his two-hour journey home, when he received a phone call from PAH Nephrologist Dr Sam Ng, who was also at the workshop.
A kidney had become available and the timing could not have been more remarkable.
Uncle Mervyn returned to the workshop where he met with the QKTS team and preparations began for him to have surgery in Brisbane.
The following day, he successfully underwent a kidney transplant.
Brett said the story is a powerful reminder of the importance of preparation, education and support for patients awaiting transplantation.
“For workshop participants, seeing one of their peers receive the long-awaited call so soon after discussing the transplant process brought the educational sessions to life in the most meaningful way possible,” he said.
“It also reinforces why culturally safe education programs and strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remain so important in improving health outcomes across Queensland.”
Following the transplant, Uncle Mervyn has returned to Woorabinda where he will continue with regular follow-up appointments as part of his recovery.
A huge shout-out to all the QKTS and PAH staff who provide high-quality care, support and expertise to patients like Uncle Mervyn and so many others throughout their transplant journey.