It was the day the now 53-year-old received a call from Melbourne’s St Vincent Hospital to say they had a kidney waiting for him.
Mr Finnen suffers from polycystic kidney syndrome, which is a heredity disease that has affected a large portion of his family, including his brother and late mother.
Mr Finnen said he lived in denial for decades until doctors told him when he was in his late 40s that it was time to go on dialysis.
“Dialysis is every second day, for five hours and it's very limiting,” Mr Finnen said.
“I was lucky I worked for myself back then, so I could be flexible, but it takes a big chunk out of your income.
“Once you have the mindset that you are limited to or can’t do things, it’s like you’re a prisoner."
Talking about the day in 2017 gives Mr Finnen goosebumps as it not only changed his life, but his entire family's life.
“My wife thought I was joking when I told her to pack her bags for Melbourne, but then burst into tears when she realised, I wasn’t mucking around,” he said.
“It was very emotional, and it still is.
“We drove down to Melbourne the same day and took selfies on the way down to remember the moment."
Within 24 hours of arriving in Melbourne, Mr Finnen’s life had changed as he woke up with a new kidney and, just as importantly, a new outlook on life.
After three months getting daily check-ups in Melbourne, it was time for Mr Finnen to come home and begin his new life with his wife and three children.
“I’ve bought a new house, I’ve been on holidays, I got married, I can see my kids and grandchildren whenever I want now,” he said.
“It's an amazing feeling… that transplant was life-changing.
“We have even nicknamed my kidney – Kenny,” he said.
In light of Donate Life Week Mr Finnen is sharing his story to inform people about organ donation and about how it can change someone’s life.
There are presently 1400 Australians on the waiting list for an organ transplant.
Registering to become an organ donor is simple, it takes one minute and all you people need is their Medicare number.
The online process records a person decision to donate organs, but it is also important for people family and close friends to know if they are willing to donate as they will still be asked to confirm if the person wanted to be a donor before the donation process can proceed.
Statistics reveal that nine in 10 families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor, but drops to four in 10 if the person is not registered and the family is unsure whether they were willing to be a donor.
Mr Finnen is now thankful for the little things in life, like being able to go out for a coffee with his family as before he could only drink 150ml of liquid a day.
Although Mr Finnen knows little about the person who donated his kidney he understands seven other people's lives were saved by the organ donor.
“Think very seriously about it, talk to your family, because at the end of the day when we go into the ground we don’t need them,” he said.
“I want people to understand what a difference organ donation can make to someone’s life.
“I’m very lucky, I have my life back."
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