7 September 2025

From the moment Arthur was born, his parents knew their journey would be different. Doctors had already discovered in utero that his kidneys were not developing as they should, but no one knew exactly what to expect once he arrived.

Arthur spent his earliest days in the NICU, relying on a catheter and peritoneal dialysis to keep him alive, which was incredibly difficult for a young family.

“From the beginning, we understood that the pathway for Arthur was leading toward a kidney transplant,” recalls his dad, Adrian. “It was the light at the end of the tunnel, even though we knew the road would be long and challenging.”

Both Adrian and his wife underwent testing and remarkably, both were matches.

“Only one of us could go forward, and I became the donor,” Adrian says.

“It was scary, but we always knew this was the only way for us to move forward as a family. Even when I was feeling anxious about the procedure, I knew it was going to help more than anything else.”

Arthur’s transplant was a turning point. His surgery was performed at the Royal Children’s Hospital, with Adrian’s kidney transplanted in close collaboration with Austin Health’s transplant specialists. At the same time, at Austin Health, another father was donating part of his liver to his five-month-old son - two lifesaving gifts, from two dads, in one extraordinary day.

“It shows just how remarkable the transplant program at Austin Health is,” says Adrian.

“From the very start, we could tell the team were experts. Thanks to their knowledge and care, we’ve been able to give our son a new life.”

Today, Arthur has more energy, greater freedom, and can enjoy simple joys like having a bath. With only low doses of anti-rejection medication, he continues to thrive.

Associate Professor John Whitlam, Director of Transplantation stated: “Performing two living-donor transplants from fathers to their sons on the same day is extraordinary. It highlights both the generosity of these families and the breadth of expertise within Austin Health’s transplant program. Working in partnership with the Royal Children’s Hospital, our teams are proud to help give children like Arthur, and so many others, the chance to live full and healthy lives.”

Austin Health is strengthening its leading role in transplantation with the Australian Centre for Transplantation Excellence and Research (ACTER). This initiative brings together expertise across multiple transplant streams to improve access, enhance outcomes, and drive innovation in line with national and state priorities for organ donation, retrieval and transplantation. It is achieving this through research, clinical innovation and a focus on patient-centred, holistic care.

A core principle of ACTER is ensuring the voices and lived experiences of people guide the care we deliver. Learn more about ACTER, read patient stories, and explore news about transplantation at Austin at: https://www.austin.org.au/acter/

Related services

• Australian Centre for Transplantation Excellence and Research (ACTER)

  Austin Health is establishing the Australian Centre for Transplantation Excellence and Research (ACTER).