Wedding gesture helps fund transplant research
In March 1996, momentous things happened in Australia.
John Howard became the country’s 25th Prime Minister, Mark Waugh scored his third century of the Cricket World Cup, and a young lady called Jeni had a pancreas and kidney transplant at Westmead Hospital.
That day, Jeni’s life changed forever. The positive impact on her health was evident to friends and family, and made an enormous impression on Jeni’s young niece, Sian.
Fast forward 21 years. Sian and her fiancé Zac were planning their wedding. They decided that on the most important day of their lives they would celebrate Aunt Jeni’s life-changing transplant, carried out by the world-renowned team at Westmead Hospital.
Instead of having table decorations, the couple donated the money they would have spent to further the research work of the transplant team.
Jeni’s original transplant was carried out by Professor Richard Allen, and she is still cared for today by the world’s top expert in kidney transplantation, Professor Jeremy Chapman, together with Professor Philip O’Connell and the team of dedicated medical and nursing staff at Westmead Hospital.
Professor Chapman was overseas, but sent a message to Sian and Zac: ““Congratulations on your wedding, representing confidence in the future, just as our transplant program looks to the future through our clinical services, and our research.”
Westmead Medical Research Foundation thanked Sian, Zac and Jeni for sharing their story, and for their generous donation to kidney and pancreas transplant research.
The research program links to the ground-breaking work of the Westmead Institute. It aims to translate research into clinical practice to provide better options for patients, slow progression of disease, and, where possible, to prevent renal disease and its complications.
If you would like to make a donation to mark the celebration of your marriage, or in lieu of birthday gifts, please contact Marlene Nasr on 1800 639 037, or by email marlene.nasr@wmrf.org.au
More information: http://www.wmrf.org.au/blog/wonderful-wedding-gesture-funds-research/
