About MRKH Australia

For some people an MRKH can be devastating. Usually identified in a person’s mid-to-late teens, the variations in the development of the reproductive system can significantly impact a young person’s growing sense of identity. Isolation, loneliness and mental health challenges can follow as people struggle to come to terms with how MRKH will impact their lives. With the right support, this may significantly lessen or better still, never happen.

MRKH Australia is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation that provides a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for people impacted by MRKH.

We do this by informing and connecting: by providing a bank of clear and trusted information for people impacted by MRKH, their families and their medical practitioners, as well as a safe space to find connection and support.

Trusted information for people impacted by MRKH, their families and their medical practitioners, as well as a safe space to find connection and support.

FIND INFORMATION FIND SUPPORT

Our Values

For some on the journey with MRKH it can be a highly sensitive and private matter. MRKH Australia is committed to providing a safe space where people can come to learn, understand and connect, secure in the knowledge that their privacy is respected at all times.

A sense of a shared experience, and the feeling of belonging that this creates, can be crucial in a person’s journey with MRKH. We strive to create a welcoming, optimistic and accepting community where everyone is invited to connect and share as much or as little as they like.

MRKH Australia welcomes everyone whose lives are impacted by MRKH, from people and cultures all around the world. We value everyone’s unique experience. MRKH does not discriminate, and everyone who seeks information and/or connection is welcome in our community.

We are committed to excellence in all we do. We provide those impacted by MRKH, their families and their medical practitioners with the most up-to-date information so that people can continue to make empowered choices about the options available to them.

Above all, we are driven and sustained by resilience. A journey with MRKH is never linear, and can call upon strength of character at every turn. We, as people impacted by MRKH as well, are motivated by the resilience demonstrated in our community, every day.

Our Board

Jemma Lawson is the President of MRKH Australia and a passionate advocate for improving the lives of people living with MRKH. Diagnosed as a teenager, she has lived experience navigating infertility, IVF and gestational surrogacy, becoming a mother to her two children through two very different journeys.
With almost two decades of experience in education and leadership, she has a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice and mental health. Jemma is currently completing a Master of Counselling with a keen interest in infertility, medical trauma, surrogacy and donor conception. She is passionate about strengthening peer support, improving healthcare experiences, and ensuring the voices of people with MRKH are represented in advocacy, education and research.
Jemma is committed to creating a future where every person with MRKH feels seen, supported and empowered.
Prue Craven is a passionate advocate for the MRKH community whose journey has inspired hope for people around the world.
Diagnosed with MRKH syndrome at 17, Prue has navigated a long and complex path through infertility, IVF, surrogacy and, ultimately, a groundbreaking uterus transplant. In 2024, she became one of the first women in Australia—and among only a small number worldwide—to give birth following a uterus transplant, marking an extraordinary milestone in reproductive medicine.
Beyond her own story, Prue is committed to raising awareness of MRKH, improving understanding of the condition and advocating for greater access to information, support and reproductive options. Through sharing her experiences publicly, she hopes to ensure that no one diagnosed with MRKH feels as isolated as she once did.
Prue is a paediatric nurse, wife and mother whose openness, resilience and generosity continue to inspire the MRKH community. She is passionate about helping others find hope, connection and the confidence to write their own story—whatever path that may take.
Ash is a neurophysiologist, psychotherapist, and founder of Re-MIND Institute, with a background in neuroscience, human behaviour, and trauma-informed care.

While Ash does not have lived experience with MRKH, she brings a strong commitment to supporting individuals navigating identity and medical trauma. Through her work, she has seen the lasting impact that clinical language, tone, and approach can have on a person’s sense of self, particularly at the point of diagnosis.

Ash is passionate about contributing to a more trauma-informed healthcare system, where patients feel safe, seen, and supported from the very beginning. She is dedicated to both supporting individuals affected by MRKH and advocating for greater education and awareness among health professionals to prevent unnecessary harm and identity wounding.
Kayla was born with VATER syndrome, a rare condition involving a range of congenital differences that can affect the spine, organs, and reproductive system. Living in rural New South Wales, she has navigated the challenges of her diagnosis, including MRKH with limited access to support.
She is passionate about inclusive education, particularly within the disability sector. As a teacher, her advocacy in Inclusive Education is helping to create supportive environments and build strong foundations for young people to thrive.
She joined the Board of Directors of MRKH Australia as part of her ongoing journey of acceptance, while also wanting to create meaningful change for others, and greater establish prospects of connection for those diagnosed also living in rural communities. Drawing on her lived experience, she is committed to improving mental health support, addressing the impacts of medical trauma, and ensuring those with MRKH feel less alone on their journey.
Paulina is based in Sydney, NSW, and is passionate about health, fitness, and using her voice to create meaningful change.
Diagnosed with MRKH at 17, she experienced firsthand the confusion, silence, and lack of awareness surrounding the condition.
As part of MRKH Australia, Paulina is committed to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and supporting the growth of a connected and compassionate community. Through advocacy and storytelling, she works to ensure that no one feels alone in their diagnosis, and that future generations have access to greater understanding, support, and care.
You can follow her journey on Instagram @paulina.baczak.
Sonia is a gynaecologist who has been working in the field of paediatric and adolescent gynaecology for over 30 years. She has been involved in the care of many young people and adults with MRKH. She is passionate about ensuring people with MRKH have access to comprehensive health care - which includes their mental health. She would love to see more resources for young people to ensure they don’t feel alone when they are diagnosed and more education to all health professionals to ensure that optimal care is provided.
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