Thank God for my Donor Hero

My name is Stephen Williams and at the age of 26 I was told that I have Cystic Fibrosis. Needless to say I didn’t welcome the news from my specialist.

Years later at the age of 32 I underwent a bilateral lung transplant. I then needed a second Bilateral Transplant at the age of 44. So this year I am celebrating 20 years of extra life through the gift of Organ Donation.

My first double lung transplant was in 1995 for Cystic Fibrosis and my second was in 2008. I am what St Vincent’s Heart Lung Transplant Team calls a survivor and a success story.

Back in 2000 I met my first Donors widow on Today/Tonight TV show and I presented her with my Gold Medal that I won at the World Transplant Games a few years earlier.

I have 3 Gold Medals at World level for Tenpin Bowling and in 1997 I received an Australia Day medal for my achievements in sport.

I have 2 ACT Chief Minister Awards for my community work and for the Canberra 2010 National Transplant Games of which I chaired the organising committee.

I now have twin teenage boys who would not have been here if it wasn’t for the wonderful Gift of Life to me.

I am the man who just won’t give in and die

I am a very positive person I have a lovely wife and twin boys.

I literally have been to hell and back with poor health and for 5 years leading up to my first transplant I was confined to oxygen and sat around in the house and my holidays consisted of sitting on the lounge watching ‘Getaway’ a TV holiday series.

Prior to becoming ill I did have a life too! I played soccer in the federation cup & tried out for the Canberra Arrows ACT State Soccer Team.

I have climbed Ayres Rock (Uluru) and travelled to the US where I purchased 2 Mustangs and a Porsche and imported them back into Australia.

All in all, I do believe God has had his hand on my life in one way or another.