Mum gives her life to save daughter

A MELBOURNE mother's selfless devotion to her daughter has seen her make the ultimate sacrifice in a transplant tragedy.

Penny Halbish, wife of the former cricket supremo Graham, died a day after giving her daughter Suzanne, 29, the greatest gift - a life-saving kidney.

Suzanne returned home in good health last night but is reeling from the shock loss of her 62-year-old mother.

A devastated Mr Halbish, former chief executive of Cricket Australia, was by his daughter's side at home in Heatherton in Melbourne.

Mr Halbish said the family discussed the risks, but as they watched kidney disease ravage Suzanne the family was determined to do everything possible to save her.

Mrs Halbish's own mother had died of surgical complications at just 52, but she had no hesitation in risking her life for her daughter.

The risk of a donor dying through a live kidney transplant is very low.

There have been 3931 kidney transplants in Australia since 1966, with the only other tragedy occurring in 2006.

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What everyone else is thinking

Julie Richardson

25/06/2009

Im very sad for the family but also for the whole issue of transplant, hopefully the news coverage will focus on the life that has been saved and what it means to her to be alive. Poor girl though its tragic that she now has to live without her mother but lets hope she can focus on how much her mum loved her and wanted her to enjoy life .

Joyce

23/06/2009

I feel so sad for this families loss & admire the courage of the mother

Jude Melder

I think that the mother's act was an act of pure love. I would do the same for any of my 3 children without giving it a second thought.I wish the family come to terms with their sad loss and i sincerly wish her daughter a safe and speedy recovery and a long and healthy life.