Episode 5 - Chronic kidney disease and organ donation with Emmy O'Neill

In this episode, your host Emma Gray interviews Emmy O’Neill Brisbane mum of 2. In 2018 Emmy was diagnosed with end stage kidney disease and started dialysis of which she is reliant to live. In 2019, Emmy was put on the transplant waiting list to receive a kidney transplant.Not only the process of dialysis, but the impending phone call of being on the organ transplant list would be incredibly difficult journey to navigate and it would be easy to resign to the ‘weight’ and difficulty of that both physically and mentally. Emmy has an inspiring perspective on life since her diagnosis and in the episode shares how her outlook on life has changed since being diagnosed with kidney failure. Marrying this conversation with Alana Cresswell from Donate Life seemed incredibly important and appropriate. Alana joins Emma and Emmy in the episode to answer the most common questions and busts a few common myths around organ donation.There are currently around 1,700 people on the list to receive a lifesaving organ transplant in Australia. Making the decision to be an organ donor, registering your decision and informing your loved ones of your decision is a very important conversation to have so your loved ones don’t have to make the decision for you if you are unable to.Being an organ donor is an incredible legacy for you to leave and to someone like Emmy, a life changing gift.Key topicsKidney diseaseNavigating chronic illness with young childrenBeing an individual on the organ transplant list and navigating that emotionallyQuestions and common myths and misconceptions around organ donationWhat is the current climate for organ donation in AustraliaHow can we join the organ donation register in Australiahttps://www.beyondblue.org.auhttps://www.lifeline.org.auhttps://www.headspace.comKidney Health Australia https://kidney.org.auTransplant Australia https://transplant.org.au/types-of-transplant/kidney-transplant/Donate life website: https://donatelife.gov.au