Tania - organ donor, South Australia

a man and a woman sitting inside a travel van smiling at the camera. The inside of the van is clean, white and has wooden cabinets lining the top of the van.

It helps knowing that she’s gifted and helped so many people throughout her life, and that she’s still helping people after she’s passed

’Tania was a 24/7 bundle of life,’ says Brett of his much-loved late wife.

Brett remembers Tania as energetic and spontaneous. He talks of her talent as a dancer, her love for taking photographs and her passion for travel. She was amazing with words – but also amazing with a spreadsheet and planning.

At the age of 49, Tania began experiencing inexplicable hearing loss. Scans detected a brain tumour that had been growing for 6 years.

Only 2 months after diagnosis, Tania underwent a 9-hour brain tumour removal surgery. In the days after, she suffered a massive seizure and didn’t survive. Tania’s family agreed to donate her organs, with 7 people receiving a life-changing gift as the result.

Brett says that he and Tania had discussed organ donation together several weeks before she passed, so he knew what Tania wanted when the time came. ‘We’d had the conversation... it was almost like a pact that we made, that this is what we need to do.’

Brett says that he made the decision partly out of love. ‘I always held onto the thought that maybe one day, those beautiful blue eyes might be walking towards me again in some small way. It helps knowing that she’s gifted and helped so many people throughout her life, and that she’s still helping people after she’s passed.’

Speaking of Tania’s recipients, Brett says: ‘You’ve been given a gift from someone who was loved and gave love without second thought. Enjoy what you’ve been given and live the life you want – a life you didn’t think you’d be able to live.

‘This gift was given with love so you have an opportunity to live your life the best you can, with the people that you love.’