Sutherland liver transplant recipient tells of gratitude to donor family

"Without their selfless act of love and generosity, I would not be here today," the Sutherland resident said.

"I hope they always have peace in their lives and know that I hug them in my heart and mind every day."

Ms Raper told of her experience as part of DonateLife Week, from July 25 to August 1.

Donor registrations dropped 16 per cent last year because awareness-raising events had to be cut back due to COVID, leaving 1800 Australians waiting for a life-saving transplant.

Ms Raper received her transplant in July 2012 after being on the waiting list for about six months.

The need for the transplant dated back to 1986 when she needed emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, requiring multiple blood transfusions.

From one of the transfusions, she acquired Hepatitis C.

Treatment over several years was not able to clear the disease.

In 2011, tumours were found on her liver and in January 2012 her name was added to the waiting list for a liver transplant.

Ms Raper said, while waiting for a transplant, she was "at a very low ebb".

"I lost the capability to physically cope," she said. "My days were spent sleeping, occasionally attempting to do something social, the impact on my system had become too great.

"My husband Gerard would go to work with me asleep and, when he came home I would still be sleeping on the lounge.

"I would be forever apologising for my lack of energy and fatigue.

"Gerard reassured me that nothing mattered or was more important than my resting."

Ms Raper said the team involved in the transplant process were "truly inspirational - an amazing group of people".

"I am so grateful to them and to my beautiful donor family," she said.

"Receiving a transplant is the most humbling experience one could ever have.

"It completely turned my life around. I feel like I got many years back, all that sickness has now become a blur.

"What does having a liver transplant mean to me? It means I smile, it truly makes me smile at how fortunate I have been."

A DonateLife spokeswoman said, "With many people still under the assumption you can register via the NSW driver's licence, it's important to head to donatelife.gov.au and check if they're registered. It only takes one minute with your Medicare card".