By Mikayla Van Loon
Mooroolbark’s Fraser Catton lived much of his life knowing he would one day need a kidney transplant.
Now nearly a year after receiving his new organ, he’s heading off to the World Transplant Games in Perth in mid April to represent Australia in tennis.
Diagnosed with kidney disease in his early teenage years, when the day came sooner than expected for a transplant, asking family and friends to get tested for a match led to the life saving surgery.
Fraser said for the most part, having kidney disease didn’t impact him too much and was more about managing his symptoms.
“It didn’t impact anything for me. Kidney disease often doesn’t until you hit about 10 per cent function. That’s when you start noticing it,” he said
“We got there a little bit earlier than I thought we would. So towards the middle of 2021, we started looking at dialysis and then also talking with the transplant team…and they actually said your best option is go for a live donor.”
This conversation, although a challenging one to start, led to one of Fraser’s best mates of 15 years, Brad Geelan, offering to get tested.
“You could see that it was having an impact on his life and to see him struggle to get out of bed on certain days and struggle to do everyday things, it was really a no brainer just to help out,” Brad said.
“You do your research and talk to those people who have one kidney and they can still live a normal life. So just to help out a mate was what it was all about.”
While initially returning as a match from some tests, it was later advised Brad wouldn’t be a close enough match to do the transplant.
This, however, was combated by what is known as the Kidney Exchange Program, established in 2010 to complete multiple kidney transplants by way of a swap.
“We found a match through that in about two months. So, really quickly. And then we went in on April 6 and April 7 for the transplant. It all happened a lot faster than any of us anticipated,” Fraser said.
Since the surgery, Fraser has returned to a fulfilled life of spending quality time with his family and being able to participate in normal activities.
“I probably haven’t felt the same way for about five years. We’ve got three little girls so it’s nice to be able to play with them and do all that kind of stuff instead of lying around at home and conserving energy as much as possible.”
When the opportunity to compete in tennis at the World Transplant Games came up, Fraser wanted to do it, not only for himself, but for his family and the broader transplant community.
“There’s the drive to return to normal or better and just also show that it can be done. Part of that for me is for my kids as well,” he said.
“To let them see that life gets tough, you get things thrown at you that you don’t expect but we’ve got a choice as to how we respond to that and it’s a good opportunity just to celebrate with them.”
With around 2000 people going to compete across various events and around 350 Australian competitors, Fraser said it would be nice to meet and mingle with others who had gone through something similar.
“Because someone else gave up something for them and we all got a second chance of living and doing life.”
Fraser hoped that showing what transplant recipients could do when given a second chance would encourage more people to register as an organ donor or consider a live kidney donation if a friend or family member was in need.
“The more donors we have in the system, the more chance there is for people to get the right match, and have a good outcome as opposed to taking something that’s a little bit subpar but might give them a chance.”
From the other side of the donation process, Brad said he would absolutely encourage people to sign up as organ donors if it was possible
“It’s the best thing you can do from my perspective and I’d encourage it because in our instance it not only helped one, we probably helped two people,” Brad said.
“The impacts it has on other lives, it’s just amazing and it really hasn’t had that much of an impact on mine. There’s so many people out there, I believe on the donor list that are waiting for a donor.
Brad said seeing Fraser back to doing what he loves, playing tennis and getting to compete in the Games made it all worth it.
“That’s the best part, just seeing him back doing normal things and playing tennis like we used to 15 years ago.
“Whereas you see him struggling to get out of bed previously and now he’s participating in the Games. That’s what it’s all about, from my point of view, and getting his life back to normal. That’s the reward from my perspective.”
For Fraser, going on a family holiday for the first time in a while and sharing the entire experience with the people who mean the most was just as important and exciting as participating in the Games.
“It’s really a celebration. So kids are invited to join in, they have an opening ceremony and the countries walk in. So I’m guessing it’s going to be a mini-Olympic style.
“We have a ceremony where we recognise the donors and what they’ve done and celebrate them.”
Moving forward, Fraser hopes to continue raising the discussion of organ donation with those around him and spread the message of how important it can be in order to save someone’s life.
“I’m incredibly grateful for a second chance and we’d love to see other people have that same opportunity. That’s the real big takeaway for me and that comes through having plenty of donors in the registry.”
To join the donor register, go to donatelife.gov.au
