DONATELIFE WEEK – JULY 26 TO AUGUST 2 

Vanessa Hall 

Editor 

WHEN Coolum resident Belinda lost her life partner Damien to a catastrophic stroke, she found comfort in knowing that even in death, he was able to give others a second chance at life.

Damien donated his kidneys and liver, helping save the lives of three Australians.

“He would also have donated his pancreas,” Belinda said.

“But because it was during the height of the COVID restrictions, it was logistically impossible to transport it to another recipient.”

As the country recognises DonateLife Week (July 26-August 2), Belinda is encouraging others to do two simple things – register as an organ donor and, just as importantly, tell family and next of kin about that decision.

In Australia, registering as an organ donor through Medicare or the Australian Organ Donor Register does not automatically guarantee donation will proceed. Your family (or legal next of kin) is still asked to confirm your wishes and provide consent before organ donation goes ahead. If they object, the medical team will not proceed with the donation.

This is why DonateLife puts so much emphasis on having the conversation, not just registering.

The message comes as new DonateLife figures show Queensland continues to lag behind the national average for organ donor registrations. While 35 per cent of eligible Australians are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register, Queensland sits at just 30 per cent.

According to DonateLife, around 2,000 Australians are currently waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. One organ donor has the potential to save up to seven lives and improve many more through eye and tissue donation.

Belinda and Damien had been together for almost 20 years and had moved to Coolum in late 2015, believing they had found their forever home.

When Damien suffered a catastrophic stroke in the early hours of the morning in August 2020, he was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital before being transferred to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where he died three days later.

Both Belinda and Damien had already registered as organ donors.

“At the time I thought, how amazing that Damien can help other people at such a horrendous time,” Belinda said.

“It’s not just potentially life-changing for the recipient; there’s a ripple effect that comes with being an organ donor. You change more than just the recipient’s life; you change the life of all the loved ones around them. You’re giving them more time with the person they love.”

Belinda said one of the biggest misconceptions was that registering as a donor was enough.

“Have the conversation. It’s so important to have the conversation so your next of kin and loved ones know your wishes.”

DonateLife states that family consent remains one of the biggest barriers to organ donation. While more than 70 per cent of Australians support organ donation, families are far more likely to agree if they already know what their loved one wanted.

“I can understand why next of kin find it difficult to say yes if the time comes, but if your loved one has made the selfless choice to give a stranger a chance at a healthier, longer life, then please honour their final wish,” Belinda said.

“It’s the most difficult time of your life to say goodbye, but there has to be some good that comes from so much pain, and I recall especially in the very early days after Damien passed that his gift to others gave me a lot of comfort.”

DonateLife Queensland Nursing Director Tina Coco AO said every registration mattered.

“There are currently around 2,000 Australians on the organ transplant waitlist who need Australia’s help. For those waiting, it can be a matter of life and death,” Tina said.

“This DonateLife Week, I’m urging everyone to please register as an organ and tissue donor. Then, talk to your family – let them know you want to be a donor. Someone’s life depends on it.”

Registering as an organ and tissue donor takes about a minute through Medicare or the Australian Organ Donor Register. To register, simply scan the QR code below and enter your Medicare card details into the online form and then have that chat with your next of kin or family and let them know of your wishes.