My name is Racquel. Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and this year I will celebrate 17 years of life that I would not have had, were it not for a kidney transplant.

When I was 23, my kidney function deteriorated after years of kidney disease. I went onto dialysis and managed this at home for four months. During this time the staff at the hospital spoke with me about having a kidney transplant. My doctor confirmed that without a transplant I would die.

When I received the call, I had no idea that it would change my life so dramatically. I had a kidney transplant and was cared for by the team at Westmead hospital. Over the years I have taken immune suppression medication and I have been very happy to see real progress happening in the transplant world.

I feel as though I was not only given a second chance, but as though I was given life. I am blessed to have achieved so much during the last 17 years.

I am completing a degree in social welfare and I work for a charity with disadvantaged children. I'm in a loving relationship, I've travelled the world and I say thank you every single day.

A transplant not only changed my life, it saved my life. Were it not for the very courageous and generous decision that someone made, I would not be here today.

Racquel