Officers save life of kidney transplant recipient

A Brunswick West woman is alive to celebrate Christmas thanks to the efforts of two persistent policemen.

Levalda Adams believes she would have died had the officers not taken her to hospital for a much-needed kidney transplant.

Senior Constable Dean Turner and First Constable Tom O'Dwyer stopped by Mrs Adams home for a welfare check on behalf of Royal Melbourne Hospital.

The hospital was attempting to inform her that after a nineteen-month wait a donor kidney had finally become available.

When the two officers stopped by the 60-year-old’s home, their knocks were left unanswered.

“We were almost to the point where we were about to leave,” said Senior Constable Turner.

But they persisted for fifteen minutes, knowing the donor kidney could not wait.

“We were looking at our watches and time was running out a bit,” First Constable O'Dwyer said.

Mrs Adams was aware that she had visitors, but low blood sugar had rendered her barely conscious.

“I heard the knocking on my door but I couldn't respond,” she said.

“I crawled to the front door, managed to open the door, the police came in, told me what's happening,” said Mrs Adams.

“They've really saved my life,” she said.

The officers drove her to hospital and stayed with her until she went into surgery, both men elated they were able to get her there in time.

“It's fantastic. It's a really good feeling,” First Constable O'Dwyer told 7 News.

Dr Peter Hughes looked after Mrs Adams in the hospital, and said the police officers persistence had paid off in a big way for his patient.

“I think the police saved her that day,” he said.

Around 1600 Australians will spend this Christmas on the organ donor waiting list, hoping to receive the gift of life.

It is bittersweet for Mrs Adams, knowing her donor's family will be grieving this Christmas.

“I am very grateful for what they've done for me,” she said.

She hopes her story will inspire others to join the organ donor registry.