Gemma Mackay was a typical 20-year-old in the prime of her life before a life-changing medical crisis turned her world upside down.

The Hervey Bay nursing student presented to the hospital in April with severe abdominal pain and was initially sent home with medication for suspected kidney stones. Over the following days, her condition rapidly deteriorated, and she was readmitted in a serious condition. Doctors soon discovered her kidneys and liver were beginning to fail.

“I was living what felt like my absolute best life. Between travelling, going to concerts, studying nursing, and spending time with my friends, family, and my gorgeous nine-month-old nephew, my world was full and happy. Then, in the most unexpected and terrifying way, disaster struck,” Gemma said.

On May 1, Gemma was airlifted to Brisbane and placed in an induced coma on life support and dialysis. “It was decided I urgently needed a liver transplant. I was suffering seizures because of the toxins in my body, and my condition was critical.”

Initially, Gemma was considered too unwell to even be placed on the donor list. Medical teams worked tirelessly to treat the severe sepsis affecting her body and stabilise her condition.

“A few days later, I was stable enough to be listed nationally as Category 1 across Australia and New Zealand. The wait was pure torture for my family,” she said.

Desperate to help, Gemma’s parents and loved ones offered to become living liver donors, willing to undergo major surgery to give her a second chance at life.

On May 6, Gemma’s family received the call they had been praying for. “I was being prepped for surgery because a donor liver had arrived. It was a very long surgery, but so far I am responding well, and everything is progressing.”

While the transplant was lifesaving, the lengthy stay in Brisbane placed significant financial strain on Gemma and her family. Support came through local charity Rally for a Cause, which stepped in to help ease the burden.

“My family and I have to stay in Brisbane for another two months for treatment and recovery, which has been expensive. Thanks to the support of Rally for a Cause, that pressure has been taken away and allowed us to focus on my recovery.”

Gemma says she still faces a long road ahead but remains grateful for the extraordinary support she has received. “I have a second chance at life, a healthy liver, and an eternity of gratitude for the donor who saved me, the teams at the RBWH and PA hospitals, and the family and friends who never left my side. I am also grateful that the Fraser Coast community has such a wonderful charity as Rally for a Cause to help people during times of real crisis.”

For more information on Rally for a Cause, visit www.rallyforacause.org.au.