15-year-old Laila Riley from Warwick with mum Kimberley and dad Scott.
90 children have been gifted a new kidney since the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) opened its doors ten years ago, in 2014.
Over the past decade, the QCH has conducted almost 30 per cent of all Queensland’s 311 paediatric kidney transplants since the first - 34 years ago - in 1970.
Laila Riley is one recent recipient, who’s now on the cusp of celebrating her 16th birthday – her first with her new kidney.
“This [kidney] was a big enough gift already, what much more could I want than that?” Laila said.
The young cattle judge from Warwick was diagnosed with renal failure, almost by accident, in 2023.
“I had a doctor's appointment because I'd been kicked in the knee by a cow, and while I was there, mum wanted a blood test because I bruised a lot,” Laila said.
The early signs of renal failure were confirmed on her 15th birthday.
“By the end of that week, we were at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, and we found out I had stage five chronic kidney disease,” Laila said.
“In really simple terms, it meant my kidneys had basically bottomed out and I needed a new one.”
What followed was months of dialysis and countless appointments, all while Laila’s mum Kimberley prepared to donate her own kidney.
“We were three days out from the transplant when we received a call about a deceased donor match,” Kimberley said.
“In the end, it worked out that I was able to be there with Laila rather than being in hospital myself.”
Director of Queensland Child and Adolescent Renal Service Peter Trnka, who has been a paediatric nephrologist for almost 20 years, said it's a privilege for his team to work with children like Laila.
“What strikes me the most is their ability to bounce back quickly as they get better, forget about the past and live in the present moment,” he said.
The Riley family noticed the positive changes within days of Laila’s surgery.
“The result of having kidneys that functioned properly was almost immediate. She had energy and colour back in her face within just a few days,” Kimberley said.
“It's a gift - we can't express how grateful we are for that that person's choice [to donate].”