DonateLife

11/12/2025

Did you know? 💡

The pancreas isn’t as well-known as other organs in our body, but it plays a vital role in our health. Without it, we can’t digest food properly or make hormones that control our blood sugar levels, which can lead to type 1 diabetes.

Some people with type 1 diabetes need a donated pancreas to restore insulin function and improve their blood sugar level control.

In 2024, there were 44 Australians who received a life-changing pancreas transplant, thanks to the generosity of donors and their families. ❤️

Encourage your friends and family to take one minute of their time to register as an organ donor at donatelife.gov.au

09/12/2025

Neil became an eye donor and donated his corneas to 2 people, giving them the gift of sight and transforming their lives forever 💕 Check out Neil's incredible story below to learn more 🌟

07/12/2025

Want to make a real impact in your community? Apply now to become a DonateLife 2026 community partner before applications close at 4:00 pm AEDT Monday 15 December📣

Our partners drive real change through a variety of activities and events, such as targeted digital advertising, editorial content and PR activities, and community group educational workshops – like Enliven Victoria who helped spark life-saving conversations in multicultural communities and inspired action that transformed 7 lives 🙌

Read Enliven’s story and how to apply: www.donatelife.gov.au/news-events/news/2025/how-donatelife-community-partners-make-life-changing-impact

05/12/2025

Today, on International Volunteer Day, we celebrate volunteers like Ryan who is here today because someone said yes to organ donation.

Ryan had a life-saving heart transplant and now volunteers with DonateLife NSW to give something back.

‘If I can spread awareness and help others understand what receiving the gift of life means, that’s worth everything,’ he says.

Ryan’s message is clear: talk about organ donation, register and help give more people a second chance.

Thank you Ryan and all DonateLife volunteers across Australia for everything you do ❤️

Register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au

04/12/2025

🎧 Our 2025 Spotify Wrapped is here!

It only takes one minute to register at donatelife.gov.au 🩷

✅ Register today
✅ Talk to your family
✅ Share this to your story

04/12/2025

📢 There are 1,800 people on organ transplant waitlists who are seriously ill or dying.

For people waiting, a transplant can mean the difference between life or death, being healthy or sick, seeing or losing their sight, or being active or never walking again.

People can wait years for an organ transplant. Tragically, some people die before a suitable match is found.

One organ donor can save up to 7 lives and change the lives of many more through eye and tissue donation. It takes just one minute to register as a donor via the link in our bio – someone’s life may depend on it ✨

01/12/2025

Jayden was in his mid-40s and fairly healthy, when he got the flu and everything changed. He was put on life-support and woke up 3 weeks later with an artificial heart. He then began the wait for a heart transplant.

He kept himself as fit as possible while he waited, to make sure he was in the best possible position for when the call came.

When a heart became available, he sat with his son Henry and reflected on the selfless decision a family had made that day.

‘The wonderful thing about receiving a donor heart is that it comes to you secondhand, so it’s full of love, and it’s full of generosity, and it’s full of care, and it’s full of empathy… all I can do is keep it full,’ he says.

28/11/2025

When she was just 12-years-old, Sue was diagnosed with a kidney condition and told she would need dialysis and eventually a kidney transplant. Her childhood was turned upside down, and she faced an uncertain future.

Dialysis three times a day meant teenage things like sleepovers and sports became almost impossible.

‘I was at boarding school in Perth – the school nurse had taken me to the GP and then my Aunty took me to Princess Margaret Hospital,’ Sue said.

‘I had never been in the hospital before and remember being very scared.’

Now, 40 years on from her transplant, Sue is living an active and full life with her family.

‘Thanks to my transplant I was given the chance to finish school, become a nurse, get married and my proudest achievement – have my 3 beautiful children,’ Sue said.

‘To my donor family, I would like to say thank you. You were able to say yes to saving other people’s lives when yours was spinning out of control.’

‘I now have kids the same age as my donor, and I can’t imagine how difficult that would have been.’

Read more about Sue’s story: www.donatelife.gov.au/donation-stories/sue-had-kidney-transplant

26/11/2025

The CJ Memorial Match in Goulburn last weekend honoured Michael Campbell Jones, who had a double lung transplant. A big thanks to Transplant Cricket Lucky Stars for organising this incredible game and raising awareness for organ and tissue donation and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood ❤ Check out more below 🌟

While the Ashes delivered edge-of-your-seat drama and an incredible Aussie win on the weekend, here in Goulburn this weekend it was all about mateship and memory!

The CJ Memorial Match at Seiffert Oval between the Transplant Lucky Stars and Highlands may have been cut short after 12 overs, but they provided proof that some of cricket’s greatest stories aren’t always written on the biggest stage.

This annual tradition honours Michael Campbell Jones (MCJ) - an original member of Goulburn Rats Cricket Club who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at a young age and received a double lung transplant. MCJ was loved around the club and his passing left a mark at the Rats. The club won their first premiership in his honour and have a yearly award in his name.

Organised by Lucky Stars Australia Transplant Cricket Australia Inc., the day raised awareness for organ and tissue donation and Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, and also raised funds for the Renal Unit at Goulburn Base Hospital.

Register to become an organ and tissue donor: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/
Discover how your blood can save lives: https://www.lifeblood.com.au/

🎥 Look out for highlights and interviews during the Test

📸 Goulburn Base Hospital Chief Radiographer Jens Loberg with match organiser Steve “Boonie” Sparkle

Goulburn & District Senior Cricket
DonateLife
Transplant Cricket Lucky Stars

25/11/2025

Last weekend we went back to Schoolies on the Gold Coast! With only 1 in 10 young Australians registered as organ and tissue donors, it was a great opportunity for us to talk to young people about donation.

We surveyed 236 schoolies and found that almost half believed they couldn't donate if they weren't healthy or fit enough. Most also believed that organ donation is their choice and they don’t need to discuss it with their families.

‘I think it's a very important conversation to have. We all think we're invincible, but we never know what might happen. Register and you could save lives. My grandad was an organ donor and we’re all very proud of him,’ shared one attendee.

It only takes 1 minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au or through Medicare. Then, tell your family you want to be a donor.

20/11/2025

Did you know?💡

Even if you have an existing medical condition such as diabetes, you shouldn’t rule yourself out from registering to be an organ and tissue donor.

If you’re ever in a position to become a donor, a medical team will make an assessment, and there’s every chance some of your organs and tissues may be suitable for donation.

Only 2% of Australians die in a way that makes it possible for them to become a donor, so every potential donor is precious. It doesn’t matter if you think you’re not healthy enough – you can still register.

It only takes one minute to register at donatelife.gov.au ❤️

17/11/2025

We’re offering DonateLife Community Awareness Grants to support events and activities during DonateLife Week 2026 🎉

In past years, community partners have organised and delivered inspiring initiatives like:

🎶A free concert featuring musicians who have had transplants

🥢Luncheons for Chinese community and religious leaders in Melbourne

🎓Stalls and speakers at university orientation events to encourage young adults to register

🌍Community group educational workshops targeting African and Greek communities.

Community-based events and activities help us extend the reach of DonateLife Week and spread the word about organ and tissue donation far and wide 🩷

Got a great idea to raise awareness in your community? Read more about this grant opportunity and how to apply on our website: www.donatelife.gov.au/community-awareness-grants

Image credit of the Oz Transplants: Andrew Chapman