Meet Coen

Coen was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic condition that affects mainly the lungs and digestion. Coen has spent a third of his first 15 years admitted to hospital. At the age of 8 he was diagnosed with insulin dependent diabetes.
Coen’s lungs deteriorated to a point that he required a double lung transplant to survive. Coen finding the silver lining in every situation decided to use his dire situation to promote organ donation.
At the age of 13 Coen became the youngest person to jet ski the 2000 kilometre length of the Murray River, and all while he needed a double lung transplant. He signed 100 new names to the Organ Donor Register along the way.
He received his gift of lungs at the age of 15. Coen then jet skied back up the Murray River, this time in 7 days, instead of the 7 weeks it took him the first time, to prove the difference a transplant can make to someone. Seven days is arguably the fastest time frame ever jet skied the Murray River.
Coen now spreads his infectious positive attitude to life at corporate functions, conferences and tours schools around Australia talking of his life, organ donation and silver linings.
Coen’s Achievements and Accolades
- Youngest person to jet ski the 2000km length of the Murray River
- Unofficially the fastest person to jet ski the Murray River
- First person to be awarded all 3 of The Pride of Australia Medals -state, national and Peoples Choice
- 3 times key speaker at the Halogen Foundation’s Young Leaders Day in Sydney and Brisbane
My Family - My Support
Coen’s story is one that is lived by all of his family, a very tight, dedicated and loving family. Coen’s parents, Mark and Dawn and his six-year-old brother Kai take every step of the journey with him.
My thoughts on Organ Donation
“Everyone wants to be a hero, become an organ donor and you can be”
My Video Reel
Home Video
We put this video on the left, together a number of years ago now, it show what it was like for me and my family growing up with CF.
We are in the process of creating a new one, until then enjoy this video.
Check out more of my videos in our video section.
Growing up with CF