RIDING had become somewhat of an “addiction” for Gerald McAuliffe who was fit and healthy when an airborne virus changed everything in 2001.
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The Thurgoona grandfather fought back tears, as he described the way his life had changed since.
One thing that did help improve his health was a kidney transplant eight years ago.
Mr McAuliffe told his story in the lead-up to DonateLife week from July 31.
“It was a real low in my life,” he said.
“The virus shut down my kidneys virtually overnight.
“I went from being a strong cyclist to being bed-ridden.
“My legs were so tight, they just wouldn't work.”
Mr McAuliffe spent eight weeks in the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he also suffered a stroke, leaving him visually impaired.
He was put on dialysis and was told he would need a transplant in the future.
His wife, Lynda, decided to donate one of her own kidneys two years into Mr McAuliffe's kidney failure, but just two weeks before surgery a chest scan revealed he had cancer.
The cancerous kidney was removed, but the diagnosis meant he was put off the transplant list for five years.
In 2008, he finally received the gift he had been waiting for.
“After that, my health shot up,” he said.
“I'm just a new person now … it's so important for people to be on the donor registry.
“Why bury good parts of the body when you can help someone else.”
About 1500 Australians are on the organ transplant waiting lists at any time and, last year, 126 Victorians donated 406 organs for transplant.
One per cent of people who die in hospital each year do so under the right medical circumstances for organ donation.
Mrs McAuliffe also stressed the importance of people registering.
“It is very rare for a husband and wife to be compatible, even though I couldn't have donated in the end due to the cancer,” she said.
“I was happy to do it for Gerald.”
Bendigo Bank will have forms available at Lavington, Albury and Wodonga branches as of Monday to help people on the Border sign up.
Albury branch manager, Aaron Knott said one organ donation could save several lives.
“We are going to be a point in community where people can drop off the forms and also grab them from us,” he said.
“They can take as many as they like to pass on.
“Until it happens to you or you’ve been affect by it, people don’t understand it or think about it too much - so it’s to raise awareness too.”
For more information, visit donatelife.gov.au.
