Andrew Reddan urges all to get behind DonateLife Week

But when the young sports lover was 10-years-old, his parents Andrew and Vicki Reddan became concerned his disinterest in food and seemingly unquenchable thirst meant he had diabetes.

Trips to the general practitioner, then a paediatrician, then a specialist eventually lead them to Dr Debbie Lewis, who diagnosed the young child with a rare kidney disease.

A recessive gene meant his kidneys weren't functioning and at 12-years-old he would require a transplant.

Both Mr and Mrs Reddan were found to be compatible donors, but concerns over his wife's future health lead Mr Reddan to the operating theatre.

He said he'll never forget the words of the surgeon moments before he was being taken in to go under the knife.

"He said 'I could cancel this right now. I don't like doing this. I take the oath to make people well and here I am potentially putting your health at risk'," he said.

The surgery was a success and at 21-years-old Mr Reddan is a healthy fourth-year electrical apprentice with Alex Said Electrical.

The Reddans count themselves lucky for being able to find a match quickly when other families are forced to wait.

More than 1400 Australians are on the wait list for a lifesaving transplant at any one time.

This week marks DonateLife week, an awareness campaign designed to shine the light on the need for organ donors.

Mrs Reddan said on the day the pair were wheeled off for surgery she saw a young couple come into the hospital with a daughter waiting for a heart transplant.

She said she'll be forever grateful they were able to give their son the gift of life, especially knowing many other parents are at the mercy of a waiting list.

"Things could've been so much different," she said.

"It could've been a heart, it could've been a lung."

In 2018, 1782 Australian lives were transformed due to the generosity of 554 deceased and 238 living organ donors and their families.

One in three Australians are registered donors, despite 69 per cent believing registration is important.

At 21, Mr Reddan said he has grown up with the knowledge that he may need another transplant down the track, but is managing his health through anti-rejection medication.

"Dad gave it to me, I know to look after it," he said.

DonateLife Week runs from July 28 to August 4 and is part of the Australian Government's national program to increase donations and transplantation. To register:

www.donatelife.gov.au.