All fun and Games for Pinjarra transplant recipient

This is the message from liver transplant recipient and John Coman.

The Pinjarra resident resigned from his job as a teacher in 2013 and began to feel unwell.

In 2014, he went to the Philippines and put on 12kg in five days. When he returned to Australia, he was put in an induced coma for two days. His liver and kidney function were 10 per cent.

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Mr Coman’s kidney function returned and he was told he would be dead in three months without a liver transplant.

“Thankfully, four weeks later I received a new liver as a gift from a family who had just lost a loved one,” he said.

“Their very brave decision in the midst of deep sadness was really a gift of life to me.”

Next month, Mr Coman will be one of the athletes competing in the Australian Transplant Games in Western Sydney.

He will compete in dragon boat and swimming races.

“I’ve always been very sporty; I was physical educator at school for 20 years and done a lot of team sports,” he said.

“But for the last 10 years I could not do that anymore.

“At 61, it’s a real pleasure to be in the competition again.”

To be part of the National Organ and Tissue Donation Register, visit the Donate Life Website www.donatelife.gov.au and register online.

Mr Coman’s fundraising page to help him compete in the games is at https://www.gofundme.|com/2gfs72mk.