Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Heather and her husband, Steve, are enormously grateful for Heather’s second chance at life.
Ainslie artist Heather Aspinall knows what it’s like to benefit from another’s generous act.
This DonateLife Week – Sunday 28 July to Sunday 4 August – she shares her story to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.
Heather’s journey
In 2018, Heather was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition.
“Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency (AATD) is a condition that usually affects the lungs, but in some people causes irreparable liver damage (cirrhosis),” Heather said.
“It took a few months for it to sink in that I was, in fact, dying and that transplant was my only chance to survive.”
In the years following her diagnosis, Heather was extremely unwell.
She had to have large amounts of fluid drained weekly from her abdomen. She was also treated for aneurysms.
While on the transplant list, Heather and her husband, Steve, waited patiently for ‘the call’.
It came in January 2023. A donor liver was available.
“In many ways I struggled a lot with the idea that someone else would have to die for me to live and that I did not feel worthy of all that sacrifice and effort,” she said.
“There is no greater gift, nothing more generous than to save another person’s life with the gift of your organs or tissue.”
Life post-transplant
Eighteen months on and Heather’s health continues to improve gradually.
“Before the transplant my life was basically being a full-time medical patient,” she said.
“I am feeling much better than I used to. I’m walking up to 3km a day and looking forward to being able to return to dance classes and ice-skating soon.
“My adult son is getting married later this year and every part of me is grateful that I will be alive to see it and be there for him to share in his joy and happiness. One day soon I hope to be able to hold a grandchild in my arms and know how precious life is to be able to do so.”
A second chance at life
Four in five Australians say they support organ donation, however, only 27 per cent of Canberrans have registered their wishes on the Australian Organ Donor Register, which is below the national average.
Heather urges everybody to register during DonateLife Week.
“It is such an easy way to become somebody’s hero! You don’t need to be a superhero, just a kind person with a generous heart (maybe literally!),” she said.
“Every day, there are many occasions when I have to think to myself, I’m here because of the grace, kindness and generosity of my donor and their family, and whisper ‘thank you, donor’ to myself.”
Register now
It only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or with three taps on Express Plus Medicare app.
Heather before (left) and after her transplant.
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