Celebrating a year of life-changing kidney transplants in north Queensland

The North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service has transformed the lives of 29 patients across the state's north in its first year, bringing life-changing kidney transplant surgery closer to home and reducing the need for some of the state's most vulnerable patients to relocate to Brisbane for treatment.

Among those to benefit are Townsville residents Vicki Bayly and David Smith, and Mackay farmer Paul Vassallo, who each received a kidney transplant through regional Australia's only kidney transplant service.

After more than two years on dialysis, former paediatric intensive care nurse Vicki Bayly said the transplant had given her a new lease on life.

"The fact I didn't have to go to Brisbane made such a huge difference because it saved us time, money and stress, and meant I could recover at home surrounded by my family and support network," Ms Bayly said.

"I feel so much better now because I'm baking again, doing the things I love and, best of all, I can travel again after missing out on visiting my daughter and grandchildren in New Zealand while I was on dialysis."

For Townsville local David Smith, his transplant marked a second chance after spending more than six years on dialysis.

"When I got the call, I couldn't believe it because I'd waited so long," Mr Smith said.

"I've got my independence back because I can drive again, go fishing and spend time with my family without planning my life around dialysis."

Mackay farmer Paul Vassallo said his transplant had given him valuable time back with his family after years of dialysis.

"Driving a few hours from Mackay is nothing compared to having to relocate to Brisbane. It's made the whole experience so much easier for my family," Mr Vassallo said.

"The transplant has given me my life back. Dialysis was taking around 18 hours out of every week. Now I've got that time back and things are starting to feel normal again."

North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service Director Dr Michelle Harfield said the experiences of patients like Vicki, David and Paul showed what the service was all about.

"A kidney transplant is much more than a medical procedure; it's an opportunity for people living with kidney failure to reclaim their health, independence and quality of life," Dr Harfield said.

"Our patients show incredible resilience throughout their transplant journey. Seeing them come off dialysis, return to their families and get back to the lives they enjoy is the greatest reward for our team."

The service has supported patients from across the Mackay, Townsville and Cairns regions, as well as Mount Isa, Cape York, the Torres Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria, with around 40 per cent of transplant recipients in its first year identifying as First Nations.

Its first anniversary coincides with DonateLife Week, recognising the extraordinary generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families whose selfless decisions have changed the lives of Australians through the gift of organ donation.

Find out more about DonateLife Week here.