Behind Driscoll’s support of the 2026 Australian Transplant Games are stories that speak to exactly why the partnership matters. A member of the Driscoll’s team has generously shared her family’s experience of living organ donation – a story of a daughter’s strength, and a family who twice stepped forward without hesitation.
Twelve years ago, our daughter needed a kidney transplant.
“For us, there was never really a question of whether we would do everything we could to help her,” Suzi said.
Her daughter’s dad Gavin immediately put his hand up to be tested, spending six months going through the rigorous workup to become a living donor. He proved to be a match, and on 18 August 2014, father and daughter underwent the transplant together.
Eleven years later, their daughter once again needed a kidney transplant. Once again, the family knew they wanted to help – this time, it was Mum’s turn.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t a direct match for our daughter, so we entered the Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange (ANZKX) program. After extensive cross-matching, we were placed in a group swap,” Suzi said.
The surgery took place on a Friday, and Suzi was discharged by Monday.
“I experienced a week of minor discomfort and some brain fog, but three months later, I feel no different. Knowing that donating my kidney has given someone the opportunity for a better quality of life makes everything worthwhile. Being able to do it as part of our daughter’s transplant journey makes it even more meaningful.”
Looking back, Suzi and Gavin feel incredibly grateful they were able to donate, both times.
“Neither time was it something we had to think twice about. When your child needs you, you simply do whatever you can,” Suzi said.
The family is proud of their daughter’s strength throughout everything she has faced, and grateful for the care her transplant team has provided over the past twelve years.
“We are incredibly proud of our daughter’s strength throughout everything she has faced, and grateful for the incredible transplant team who have supported her. The care and aftercare she has received over the past twelve years has been phenomenal.”
This September, the family will take part in the Australian Transplant Games DonateLife Fun Run/Walk together.
“Taking part in the Australian Transplant Games DonateLife Fun Run/Walk together is a chance for us to celebrate our daughter’s journey, the gift of organ donation, and the incredible community of recipients, donors and families whose lives have been changed by transplantation. For our family, organ donation isn’t just about giving a kidney. It’s about giving someone another chance at life – and there is no greater gift a parent could give their child.”
The Australian Transplant Games, held in Launceston, Tasmania from 26 September to 3 October 2026, bring together transplant recipients, living donors and donor families for a week-long celebration of sport, connection and the gift of life. Driscoll’s proudly supports the Games as a Support Partner – a partnership made all the more meaningful by stories like this one, from within their own team.
Transplant Australia thanks Suzi and her family for their generosity in sharing their story, and for the extraordinary gift of living donation – twice over.
“Suzi’s family shows the true meaning of living donation – not once, but twice, without hesitation,” said Chris Thomas, CEO, Transplant Australia.
“Their story is a powerful reminder of what people are willing to give for the people they love, and of the remarkable outcomes that living donation makes possible. Recipients competing at the Australian Transplant Games do so in honour of their donors, carrying that gratitude with them into every event.”
To find out more about living organ donation, visit donatelife.gov.au. To find out more about the 2026 Australian Transplant Games, visit australiantransplantgames.com.
