Leigh’s Second Chance

Help Leigh and Kyla Through Transplant Recovery

Their Story

My name is Miranda Dunstan, and I’m raising funds for my brother-in-law, Leigh. Leigh is a devoted husband to my sister Kyla and a loving father to their three-year-old son, Riley. Shortly after Riley’s birth, routine blood tests revealed Leigh—much to our shock as he’s under 40—was in end-stage renal failure. Since then, he has faced countless challenges: in-hospital and home dialysis sessions (up to 12 hours a day), heart complications, diabetes management, recurrent infections and the long process of joining and remaining on the transplant list.

The Challenge

For three years, Leigh has worked full-time while Kyla worked several days per week to cover household expenses and care for Riley. They have not asked for help, despite physical exhaustion, emotional strain and mounting medical bills. Home dialysis has not been working as effectively of late, and Leigh was looking at the possibility of returning to outpatient dialysis again.

A Long-Awaited Call

At 9 am yesterday, after years of waiting, Leigh and Kyla received the life-changing news: a matching kidney and pancreas were available. They travelled immediately to Sydney, and by 1 am the following morning, Leigh was in surgery. The transplant has now taken place, and although it is early days, and we know there will be ups and downs, we are hopeful. They face a three-month recovery period in Sydney, living near the hospital. During this time, neither Leigh nor Kyla can work, and their household income will reduce significantly despite living and medical costs continuing.

How You Can Help

Our hope is to ease the financial burden so Leigh can focus entirely on his recovery and Kyla can focus on caring for Riley and supporting Leigh:

Every dollar raised will go directly to Kyla and Leigh to cover these essential expenses.

How You Can Support

Your donations, prayers and messages of encouragement will mean the world to them. Please leave a note of support for Leigh, Kyla and Riley—I know they will appreciate your kind words.

Thank you for helping them as they get this amazing gift of life. Any contribution, no matter how small, makes a real difference.

We can’t thank you enough,

Team McDermott