July 28, 2020
Darling Downs Health is encouraging South Burnett residents to “have a conversation” this week with their loved ones about organ and tissue donation.
Donate Life Week is running from July 26 to August 2.
Clinical nurse Liz Hill said the week was also a time to recognise and reflect on the gift given by donors and their families and think about what a change that has made to our community.
“Donate Life Week is something we do at this time every year and it’s a week for families and community members to talk about organ donation, so if you’ve never made a decision about organ donation this is a good time to do it,” Liz said.
“As donor co-ordinator I meet so many wonderful donor families, and as devastating as the loss of their loved is, they know there is another family out there somewhere, hoping and praying for an organ donation which will provide a second chance at life.
“I think it’s an amazing gift to give and it’s something that we should all take the time to consider.”
Liz worked closely with Toowoomba region resident Carol Mellis who was faced with a situation that no one anticipates, but many face.
“We found ourselves at the hospital here unexpectedly after my husband had an accident at home, and as a result of a fall he had a massive brain haemorrhage and there was nothing that could be done to save him,” Mrs Mellis said.
“We’d previously had a discussion and agreed that we’d both want to be organ donors if we ever found ourselves in that situation.
“I must admit it didn’t come immediately to mind because at the time you’re in a situation where you’re suffering with shock, wondering what’s going on, but when I was asked the question, I knew the answer was yes, and having Liz there with us to help every step through the process was such a big help.”
Mrs Mellis said the knowledge that other families had benefitted from her husband’s donation was a gift in itself.
“You don’t who the recipients are, but they can send their thanks to donor families anonymously, through Donate Life,” she said.
“I got cards via Donate Life from the recipients and to read their words was extremely emotional and very humbling, to feel their thoughts and gratitude about the second chance they had at a normal life, it’s quite amazing really and to know they are doing well is just wonderful.
“That’s why to talk about organ donation is, I think, the most important discussion you can have.
“In our case we wouldn’t have been able to have that discussion after the accident happened, so it’s a discussion you need to have.”
- For more information about registering as a donor visit www.donatelife.gov.au
