Doctors fear a cancerous tumour will spread from her liver if Kim Fraser doesn't have the operation soon.

But in spite of her own fears, Kim made a heart-wrenching appeal to people last night: “Please sign your organ donor cards to save lives – not especially mine – but so many others”.

With her two daughters Tanya, 13 and Sally, eight, playing happily around her, Kim said: “I know I'm lucky to been given this long with my family.

“But I can't help wanting to live longer – I want to watch my kids grow up.

“They're good kids and I have my dreams for them.

“But I try to live one day at a time because that's all I have.

“It's the uncertainty that's the worst... not knowing if a liver can be found before it's too late,” Kim said.

She had made a brave attempt to stay up when the Daily Liberal called at her mother's home in Macquarie Street.

“I experience a whole range of emotions, often several times a day.

“I know a donated organ that could give me life will also involve grief for another family somewhere, mourning the death of someone they love," she said.

“Yet I also know doctors have the technology to help me - but they don't have a liver and very often they don't have blood for these operations.

“Often I get scared a donor won't be found and I just have to face what must happen,” Kim said.

Her ordeal began nearly 12 months ago after she began feeling perpetually tired and had blood tests.

“I thought I might have Ross River virus or something,” she said. “I could easily sleep 23 hours out of 24 - and I still can.”

Then a scan pinpointed the tumour which turned out to be malignant. Doctors told Kim, 34, she was on a priority list to receive a kidney [liver] – but that was a year ago.

“I've had treatment to control the cancer, but I know it will spread,” Kim said.

“I try not to think about it too much.

“A lot of days I get so tired I don’t eat. Some days I get up, go to the toilet, eat and go back to bed.

“I can't help my kids. I'm so lucky I have a caring family, relatives and helpful friends.

“There are days when I'm so frightened that if I don't have the operation soon...”

Her voice trailed away. “It's so scary.

“My kids ask: ‘Mum, can you stay awake long enough to go for a walk today?’ I try. I want to be strong for my kids.”

She laughed. “I remember how I used to hate housework – particularly scrubbing floors. Now I'd love to have the strength to scrub the dirtiest floor.”