DonateLife

19/01/2026

Mathew was the eldest of 3 children. He loved sport – playing it, watching it, talking about it.

Mathew’s parents Rusty and Helen returned home from working at the Australian Open to find him collapsed on the floor. Rusty rode with Matthew in the ambulance and once at the hospital, was told very quickly to gather the family to say goodbye. Matthew was brain dead, and there was no hope.

The family had spoken about donation previously. Mathew admitted he hadn’t looked after himself in life, so he didn’t think there would be anything worth donating. When Rusty and Helen found out organ donation was an option, they agreed right away.

‘I was proud. I was sad, but I was proud and happy, because Mathew would have helped so many people,’ Helen says.

‘Far more than any of us would have thought possible.’

15/01/2026

💡Did you know… you don’t have to be in perfect health to make a life-saving difference! Whether you smoke, drink or have an unhealthy diet you can still register to be an organ and tissue donor.

There’s every possibility that some of your organs and tissue may be suitable for donation. You can trust the medical team at the time of your death to assess if you can be a donor.

Your gift could give someone else a second chance at life ❤️

👉 Spread the word by sharing this post to your Story and register to be an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au

12/01/2026

At 10 weeks old, Sunny was diagnosed with biliary atresia, a condition that blocks the bile ducts in newborn babies. After her first liver transplant was unsuccessful, Sunny’s second transplant allowed her to make it home for her third birthday – and the start of a healthy life.

If every Australian currently registered as an organ donor asked just one friend to register, there could be an additional 7.8 million people registered as organ and tissue donors 💗

The majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation, but only 36% of the eligible population are registered to be a donor.

Share this post and encourage just one person to register as an organ and tissue donor today. Registering is easy and only takes one minute at www.donatelife.gov.au 💫

07/01/2026

Former AFLW player Richelle Cranston – also known as ‘Rocky’ - was diagnosed with kidney disease just 4 years into her professional football career. Despite the diagnosis, she defied the odds and continued playing for 2 more seasons before retiring.

Today, Rocky shares her journey online, offering a rare glimpse into life on dialysis and building a supportive community around it 💗

While she stays active and runs her own CrossFit gym, Rocky has been waiting for a transplant - and she's not alone. She’s one of around 1,800 Australians currently waiting for a transplant, alongside 14,000 others on dialysis who could benefit from one.

‘I’ve lost a bit of freedom and the spontaneity of life. Most days you are sick, you can feel completely wiped out,’ said Rocky. ‘If I was to get a transplant, I’d get my freedom back. I’d get my energy back – I’d get my life back.’

The easiest way you can give hope to people on the waitlist is by taking one minute to register as a donor at donatelife.gov.au

05/01/2026

An unprecedented case in Australia is prompting new discussions about organ donation and end‑of‑life decisions. To read more about Karen Duncan's story, check out the link below 👇

An Australian woman is believed to have become the first person in the world to donate organs after self-administering oral voluntary assisted dying medication.

04/01/2026

Happy new year! 🎉 If you’re writing your to-do list for the year ahead, why not add registering as an organ and tissue donor? You can tick it off in just one minute!

Then, have a chat with your family and let them know you want to be a donor. Visit donatelife.gov.au now ✅

22/12/2025

We’d love to say a big thank you to everyone who has registered as an organ and tissue donor, spoken to their family about donation, and helped us raise awareness in 2025 🩷 We’re looking forward to continuing our good work with you in 2026!

17/12/2025

Donor families and those who have received a transplant can write anonymous letters to each other. The decision to write is a very personal one. It may take some time before a donor family or recipient is ready to send and/or receive a letter. Some people may choose not to write.

If you don’t hear back, this doesn’t mean that the recipient is not grateful, or that the donor family doesn’t appreciate hearing how important their loved one’s gift was. People deal with change, grief and loss in many different ways.

Organ donation is a precious gift, and in Australia is anonymous. All Australian state and territory governments agree it is important to maintain the privacy of organ and tissue donors and recipients.

There is more information about the anonymous letter writing process, including guidelines for donor families and transplant recipients, at donatelife.gov.au/letters

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