Gift of life his legacy

Grant McArthur
Heraldsun, March 16, 2007

In his prime: Robert Graham.
Picture: Lawrence Pinder/Leader Community Newspaper

A fully conscious father used his final moments to save the lives of five strangers as he asked for his life-support machine to be turned off. Robert Graham's final gift saw him become only the second Australian and the first Victorian to donate multiple organs after his heart stopped beating.

The 55-year-old Eltham father broke his neck in a cycling accident and was kept alive on life support at the Austin Hospital. But while asking for the ventilator keeping him alive to be removed, the Warrandyte High School teacher had no hesitation in giving new life to others.

Elissa Vomero said her family was proud that in his emotional final hours her stepfather had thought of helping others. "When I said goodbye I told him I was so proud, and he was the best man I had ever known," she said.

"He was brave and strong and courageous."

Most organ donors are brain-dead and prior written consent is used to determine their wish to donate organs. But only Mr Graham's heart had stopped, and he was able to convey his wishes personally. Mr Graham had been paralysed from the neck down but was able to communicate by nodding his head. A breathing tube prevented him speaking.

LifeGift medical director Dr Bill Silvester said living relative kidney transplants were common, but it was extremely rare for a person to be able to give conscious consent to remove other organs for transplant.

"I greatly admire the generosity of both the patient and his family to be prepared to consider donating organs at a time when they are in the midst of their own grief over the fact he is dying and they are about to lose him," Dr Silvester said.

"He made the decision very willingly. He was very pleased to be able to have an opportunity to donate his organs."

Mr Graham had previously expressed his wish to donate his organs by signing up to the Australian Organ Donor Register. But Dr Silvester said the courage he and his family had shown in his final hours underlined his determination to help others.

Visit your Medicare office or call 1800 777 203 to register with the Australian Organ Donor Register.

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