All-round octogenarian sports star Esther Scott has returned with a swag of medals from the Australian Transplant Games.
But the 84-year-old’s motivation was much more meaningful than a spot on the winner’s podium.
It was to honour the liver donor that gave her the gift of life 16 years ago.
“The donor’s family may not know about me specifically, but I did write to them anonymously,” Scott said.
“I got an extremely nice letter back from them.
“My donor was a 32-year-old young man, who died as the result of an unfortunate accident.”
Scott was 68 when she received her transplant in 2010, after spending 10 months on the waiting list with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition.
“Those 10 months waiting for a transplant felt like a very long time. You don’t know when the call is going to come, and you just have to keep hoping” she said.
“After I had the transplant the told me had I not got it, I wouldn’t have been alive at the end of the week. So I’m very grateful.
“I recovered very quickly, amazingly quickly. In fact, my daughter came into ICU immediately after the operation and said, ‘Mum, your eyes are clear again’”
Scott has two offspring and five grandchildren.
“I wouldn’t have been around to see my grandchildren had I not had the liver transplant,” she said.
The 18th Australian Transplant Games were held in Launceston from September 26 to October 3 and brought together hundreds of transplant recipients, donor families and living donors from across Australia.
Competitors took part in 17 sports, demonstrating what is possible after transplantation while promoting the importance of organ and tissue donation.
Scottish-born Scott, who lives in Nedlands, was the oldest member of the Australian team and competed in lawn bowls, pétanque, darts, ten-pin bowling and the 5km walk, in which she picked up a gold medal.
She is a regular at the Australian and World Transplant Games, which was held in Perth in 2023 and Dresden in 2025.
The next World Games in Canada in 2027 is in her sights.
“I might be 84, but I’m not ready to slow down yet,” she saidEsther said.
“Being the oldest competitor is something I’m proud of, but I don’t really think about my age when I’m competing. I just want to get out there, have a go and enjoy it.”
WA was well represented at the Australian Transplant Games.
Kate Harper, a kidney transplant recipient, won the Female Athlete of the Games award, while Sharleigh Vermeulen, a liver transplant recipient, took out the Spirit of the Games award.
Harper competed alongside her older sister Nikki, who donated her kidney in 2022. After receiving her first kidney transplant as a child in 1993, Kate’s second transplant gave her a new lease on life.
Vermeulen, a Perth teenager, received a life-saving liver transplant from her dad at just 10 months old. Despite ongoing health challenges, she has remained active, recently graduating from school and enjoying a range of sports.
Eight-year-old WA schoolboy Sebastian Molina took part in his third Transplant Games. Molina received a life-saving liver transplant in 2019 after what was expected to be a straightforward procedure became much more serious.
Transplant Australia promotes the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation to the Australian public and supporting those most vulnerable through their journey back to the fullness of life.
Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas said Scott was a powerful example of what is possible after transplantation.
“There are more than 1,900 people currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and every one of them is waiting for the same second chance that Esther was given” he said.
“We encourage every Australian to register as an organ and tissue donor and, importantly, talk to your family about your decision. One decision can make an extraordinary difference to someone’s life and give them the opportunity to experience everything that comes after transplant.”
www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today
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