Mari - corneal recipient, VIC

Mari - corneal recipient, QLD
“I have someone else’s eye tissue and I will take care of it because it’s a gift. It’s a privilege to be given this because it makes a big difference in my life.”

As the recipient of two corneal transplants, Mari’s gratitude for the incredible gift of sight is endless. 

Diagnosed with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy at 22, a disease of the cornea, Mari’s cloudy and blurred vision impacted her life enormously, making it difficult to interact with the world around her. 

Two life-changing corneal transplants – her first aged 34, her second at 50 – have given her the gift of clear sight and the ability to appreciate simple things, such as a bright sunny day. 

“It’s amazing and it has happened because two donors and their families have been generous.” 

“I have someone else’s eye tissue and I will take care of it because it’s a gift. It’s a privilege to be given this because it makes a big difference in my life.” 

“I am grateful to the two individuals who chose to be organ and tissue donors. I am also grateful to their families, for at a time of grief, they chose to honour their loved one’s wish to be a donor. 

“To me, those two individuals whose tissues are in my eyes are forever heroic.” 

We want all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation. If you want to be a donor, make sure you tell your family and friends.

Registering is easy and only takes one minute. All you need is your phone, Medicare card and one minute to register.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from or how healthy you are — you can still register as an organ and tissue donor.

The Organ and Tissue Authority acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

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