Simone McMahon

Transplant Activist

2006 WA Young Australian of the Year

Simone McMahon knows first hand what a difference healthy kidneys can make. As a ten year old, her life revolved around dialysis, yet she still found the time and energy to work voluntarily for others. Since her transplant, she has continued her volunteer work with renewed vitality, strength and enthusiasm for a number of organisations, most notably Transplant Australia and the Starlight Children's Foundation. She has taken on the challenge of raising awareness about the need for organ donation. Simone is the Director of the National Board of Transplant Australia as well as President of the Western Australian committee. She was awarded the Prime Minister's Centenary Medal for her voluntary work in organ and tissue donation promotion. Simone remains committed to improving the lives of people awaiting transplants, recipients, the families of posthumous donors, and living donors. As a wish-granting volunteer for the Starlight Children's Foundation, she turns the dreams of seriously ill children into reality. She has still found the time to complete a law degree. Simone has received, and now she gives.