DonateLife

Today we’re asking all our followers R U Okay?

Donor families show amazing strength during one of the hardest times of their lives, by giving the gift of life to people in need. Recipients also share the burden of knowing what a donor family has gone through to give them a second chance at life.

If you’re experiencing grief or life’s ups and downs, know that you’re not alone and support is available. ❤️

Our supporters aren’t just passionate about organ and tissue donation – they're also amazing athletes! Over 100 runners represented DonateLife at the McDonald's Townsville Running Festival in August, including 5 transplant recipients.

The team looked amazing decked out in their DonateLife magenta. They also won all 4 categories for corporate entries: biggest team entry, women’s, men’s, and mixed teams results. 🏆

A huge shout-out to Donation Specialists Meagan, Mark and Melita, for organising the DonateLife team’s attendance. Congratulations to everyone who took part to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.

Last year, 2,486 Australians received the gift of sight through a corneal transplant. An additional 9,904 people received tissue transplants.

As we wrap up this week’s spotlight on eye and tissue donation, we’d like to take the time to thank all the living and deceased donors who have given the life-changing gift of donation. In 2023 alone, eye and tissue donors changed the lives of over 12,000 Australians.

Join us in thanking every eye and tissue donor, and their families, by sharing this post or leaving a comment letting us know how your life has been changed by eye and tissue donation ❤️

When Don passed away from cancer at the age of 67, his family knew he wanted to make a difference by becoming an eye and tissue donor.

Don’s story is special because it highlights many misconceptions people have about eye and tissue donation. Don’s age and his cancer diagnosis didn't prevent him from becoming a donor – and Don made sure to let his family know that he wanted to be a donor, so when the time came, their decision was an easy one.

👁️🔎 Read more about Don’s donation story, and learn all about eye and tissue donation on our website: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness

When it comes to eye donation, donor age is not that important – in fact, most eye donors are in their 70s. Similarly, eye donors can have any level of eyesight, colour or blood type.

Many more Aussies can become eye and tissue donors than organ donors. This is because eye and tissue donation can happen up to 24 hours after death, and you don’t need to die in a hospital.

📣👁️ Share this myth and fact with your friends, and learn more about eye and tissue donation at the DonateLife website: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness

Eyesight is something many of us take for granted, but for Vicky, it’s a precious gift.

At 19, Vicky was diagnosed with keratoconus, a genetic condition that makes the corneas misshapen. Her eyesight deteriorated to the point where she needed a corneal graft on one of her eyes. She received a second corneal graft for her other eye a decade later. 💝

More than anything, Vicky is grateful for the gift of being able to see her family. She says, ‘Because of my corneal grafts, I was able to see my grandchildren being born and watch them grow up.’

Visit our spotlight page to read Vicky’s story and learn more about eye and tissue donation: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness

Did you know that bone tissue is the most transplanted tissue in Australia? 🦴

Long bone tissues can be used to replace those destroyed by cancer. Smaller sections of bones can be milled and used to fill areas where bone has been lost, like the spine.

Share this fact with your friends and learn more about eye and tissue donation at the DonateLife website: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness 📣

Knee problems in her early teens incapacitated Makayla for more than 6 years. Struggling with ongoing pain, she faced a life of constant mobility issues. It’s thanks to a tissue donor and their family that Makayla received 2 meniscus transplants, transforming her life and giving her back her youth. 🙏❤️

‘My donors gave me a new perspective on life and got me back on my feet,’ says Makayla. ‘Since my transplants I’ve been able to go to university, sky dived, travel, and climbed the Gold Coast’s tallest building... I have a new lease on life thanks to my donors.’

Visit our spotlight page to read Makayla’s story, and to learn more about how eye and tissue donation transforms lives: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness 🔎

This week we’re shining a spotlight on eye and tissue donation 🔦👁️

Last year, generous Australians who gifted their eyes and tissue resulted in life-changing transplants for 2,486 corneal recipients and 9,904 tissue recipients.

From today through to Friday 6 September, we'll share facts, bust myths and tell the stories of people whose lives have been touched by eye and tissue donation and transplantation. ❤️

Help us raise awareness by sharing our posts, and visit our spotlight page to read more about eye and tissue donation: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/get-involved/eye-and-tissue-donation-awareness

This Father’s Day, we’d like to take the opportunity to recognise and thank every father who has changed lives through organ and tissue donation.

One of these selfless fathers is Glen. When his son Adam needed a transplant in his 30s due to declining kidney health, Glen stepped in to donate one of his kidneys. Since the transplant, Adam has become a father himself to 2 beautiful boys, and represented Australia at the World Transplant Games in 2023.

Read more about Adam and Glen’s story here: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/donation-stories/adam-and-glen-%E2%80%93-living-kidney-donor-and-recipient-qld, and share your story celebrating fathers who’ve made a difference through organ and tissue donation below 💗

We absolutely loved seeing all your photos and videos supporting today! Thank you to everyone who got behind Jersey Day and wore their favourite jersey, spreading the message about the importance of organ and tissue donation. ❤️🏈⚽🏀

Remember, it only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor, and up to 7 lives can be saved by a single organ donor. Visit www.donatelife.gov.au to register now.



Royal North Shore Hospital , Australia Post , South Eastern Sydney Local Health District , Metro South Health Bankstown Hospital

We’re kicking off Jersey Day! 🏈⚽🏀

Aussies across the nation are proudly wearing their favourite sporting jerseys, and having conversations about organ and tissue donation to raise awareness.

Jersey Day honours 13-year-old Nathan Gremmo, who gave the gift of life to 6 people when he became an organ donor.

We’d love to see pics of you and your friends, family and coworkers in your jerseys today 👕🎽 Tag and Jersey Day and use the hashtags

‘You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough.’

Just hours after 13-year-old Nathan posted this quote on social media, he saved the lives of 6 people through organ donation. His legacy is now helping to save many more. 💕

Jersey Day was started by Nathan’s family in his honour, to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Every year, they ask Australians to wear their favourite sporting jersey and have conversations about the importance of registering as an organ and tissue donor.

Join us in marking Jersey Day tomorrow, Friday 30 August. For more info on taking part, visit https://www.donatelife.gov.au/news-events/events/2024/jersey-day-2024

Did you know that in Australia, before organ or tissue donation goes ahead, your family will be asked to agree to donation?

They’re much more likely to agree if they know you want to be a donor.

Take a minute to talk to your family and friends about organ and tissue donation 💕

Today is World Organ Donation Day 🌍💗

Let’s share messages about organ and tissue donation and say thank you to everyone who has given this life-changing gift. We’d love to hear from you – comment on this post to share your story for

A big THANK YOU to every single one of over 450 cafés around Australia that took part in the coffee cup promotion! ☕🎉

It’s been amazing to see hundreds of pictures and videos from across the country showing support for organ and tissue donation – from down south in Huonville, all the way up north to Cairns. With your help, we’ve encouraged more Australians to register as organ and tissue donors and talk to their families ❤️

DonateLife Week wouldn’t be possible without the support and hard work of many volunteers, donor families and transplant recipients around Australia ❤️

They share their stories with the media, sign up cafés, host registration stalls, help at events, encourage their local community to get on board, and spread the message of organ and tissue donation far and wide – in short, they change people’s lives. To all our passionate and amazing volunteers, supporters, donor families and transplant recipients who have made a difference this : thank you! 🙌💕

If you’re inspired by our amazing volunteers and want to get involved, get in touch with your local DonateLife agency: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/find-your-local-donatelife-agency

Imagine flying your critically ill baby home from overseas, unsure if they'll make it for the life-saving organ transplant.

Clare shared her daughter Katie's story of survival with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for

More Australians die while waiting for an organ donor More than 50 Australians died while waiting for an organ transplant last year – and the number of registered donors is declining.

These costumes deserve a moment of appreciation this DonateLife Week 💅

Such a creative way to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation at the DonateLife Week launch event in Queensland! 💗

Earlier this year 22-year-old Destiny came home from a weekend away camping and took a nap. Sadly, she never woke up, and doctors still don't know why.

Despite her grief at her younger sibling's Adelaide hospital bedside, big sister Belinda asked about organ donation - because she knew that’s what Destiny would have wanted. After a long family discussion, they said yes.

Belinda says, 'even though we were grieving the loss of our sister, we knew it would change someone else’s life. Destiny loved helping people.'

Destiny was able to donate her kidneys and pancreas, a gift that gave others a lifetime.

DonateLife Week is a great time to talk to your family about your decision to register as an organ and tissue donor. Families will always be asked to consent to organ donation, and many don't know what to do when they've never had that discussion before.