Picture of Nigel Weiland with his son at the Australian Transplant Games last year

21 August 2025

Nigel was 28 when a routine health check for a scuba diving course revealed near end stage kidney failure.

Two years later, he was lucky enough to receive a kidney transplant from his mum and Nigel avoided going on dialysis. Following the transplant, the next ten years went well for Nigel – he was healthy, had three kids and stayed active with work and family life. But things took a turn when his body started to reject the transplant following some health issues.

Daily life for Nigel now involved regular dialysis appointments while continuing to work. Exercising was restricted while on dialysis and keeping up with his young kids became harder. He went on the transplant list again and two years later, at 42, Nigel got a call – a match had been found. Nigel had the surgery the next morning, and nine years on, that kidney is still going strong.

As he recovered, Nigel felt energetic again and started pursuing new hobbies. He took up archery with his eldest son and soon the whole family joined in. Running followed, and he entered the Australian Transplant Games not long after. That experience led him to the international stage, where he is representing Australia at the World Transplant Games in Germany. He’ll be competing in the 5km road race and archery - two sports that weren’t even on his radar a decade ago.

Looking back, Nigel recalls how far he’s come since those difficult days before his second transplant, “What particularly stands out to me, before the second transplant and with my health complications, I was unable to even walk up our driveway. Thanks to the generosity of my mum and the donor of my second transplant and their family, I have been able to do things I never could’ve while on dialysis. I’ve travel overseas, taken a road trip around Australia, created many memories with my family and recently even completed my first half marathon."

Nigel’s story is a powerful reminder of what is possible with organ donation. He shares, “I thank my mum, my anonymous donor and their family, and all the other donors and their families who make transplants like mine possible. I also thank the team at the Austin Hospital who make living a more normal and fulfilling life possible for us transplant recipients. If you can, please think about joining the organ donor register. I know firsthand it truly does change lives.”

A single organ donor can save up to seven lives. We ask you to take a minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au and start the conversation with your loved ones today.