February 2024 DonateLife Network updates

2023 Activity Report: a summary

The 2023 Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report provides a measure of progress against the Government’s national program for increasing organ and tissue donation for transplantation. It includes data on organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation – both deceased and living – that informs ongoing sector improvements. 

Thanks to the generosity of 513 deceased organ donors, 1,396 Australians received a life-saving organ transplant in 2023. This is a 13% increase in deceased organ donation, resulting in a 14% increase in organ transplants, compared to 2022 — and the highest level of activity since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. 

Australia’s rate of donors per million population (dpmp) increased to 19.3 dpmp from 17.5 dpmp in 2022, against a national target of 25 dpmp. This is the highest since 2019, indicating continued recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. 

There were also 1,546 deceased eye donors and 328 deceased tissue donors, 253 living kidney donors, and 2,958 living tissue donors who transformed the lives of Australians needing a transplant in 2023. 

We thank all the generous donors and their families who said yes to donation last year and gave Australians in need a second chance at life. 

Another big thank you to all DonateLife network staff for your dedication and commitment to delivering the national program. Despite many ongoing challenges, thank you for helping to explore all opportunities for organ and tissue donation in your hospitals so that more Australians can receive a life-saving transplant. 

We know there is still a lot of work to do, with a particular focus on lifting the national consent rate, with 55% of families saying yes to organ donation in the hospital. While there are variations across jurisdictions, this is only a 1% increase on 2022 and well below a high of 60% pre-pandemic.

Community Awareness Grants 

OTA was recently on the hunt for innovative ways to help raise awareness about organ and tissue donation within Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, multicultural and faith groups. Up to $400,000 in grants is available as part of the Community Awareness Grants program in 2024. There are community-based projects across 2 categories: digital content and resources, and a DonateLife Week 2024 event or activity. We worked with state and territory teams to encourage a range of applications.  

Applications closed on Friday 1 March and we expect to announce grant recipients at the end of April. 

Digital Campaign: Don't give your heart away this Valentine's Day 

On Thursday 1 February, our Valentine’s Day digital campaign began. With young people as our target – in particular, young men – we ran an advertorial on Pedestrian TV and some static and video ads on Tinder. This registration initiative was run by Community Awareness Grant recipients, Make Mate. 

The campaign has wrapped up, with impressive results. It delivered more than 1 million impressions and we received almost 59,000 clicks through to the DonateLife website.

Image caption: The Tinder Valentine’s Day campaign by Make Mate. 

Building International Relations 

Brianna Elms, National Manager Communications and Engagement at OTA, took some time out of her London holiday over Christmas to meet with Fatim Kesvani, Head of Organ Donation Marketing at the National Health Service (NHS) Blood and Transplant. Over the past 4 years, all UK countries have moved to a soft opt-out consent model, whilst also retaining a call for people to opt-in and register – and this triggered the need for a mass community awareness campaign (which Australia has not done in over 10 years). 

 The UK have similar audience profiles and communication challenges to us, and we can learn a lot by sharing best practice communications and engagement strategies. 

Brianna and Fatim committed to establishing an ongoing working partnership between the UK and Australia, with more focused conversations to come on everything from paid influencer strategies, volunteers and research. 

Image caption: Fatim and Brianna catching up in London. 

Discussion and recommendations from the WHO 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board met on Tuesday 23 January 2024. They discussed and decided recommendations on the resolution Increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs. 

The resolution focused on strengthening and promoting effective measures and international cooperation on organ donation and transplantation. This will help prevent and combat trafficking of people for organ removal and trafficking human organs. 

The recommendations are publicly available here: Increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs (who.int). 

TSANZ Clinical Guidelines: Version 1.12 now available 

Version 1.12 of the TSANZ Clinical Guidelines for Organ Transplantation from Deceased Donors was published on Tuesday 30 January. This follows significant consultation across the transplantation and donation sectors.  

Updates include: 

• An extensive re-write of the Heart Chapter (Chapter 4), particularly section 4.5 (Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death) and section 4.7 (transplantation). The preamble referring to heart failure management and statistics has been shortened to keep the transplantation focus.  
• Sections 4.5.3, 5.2.6, 7.3.3 and 8.3.4 on how histocompatibility assessments must occur within 120 days for matching (instead of 100), as per the most recent virtual crossmatch (VXM) update and guidance from the VXM working group. TSANZ Advisory Committees were consulted and support the change. 
• Section 11.5: paediatric heart donation and allocation. 
• A new appendix has been added to Guidelines - Appendix O. This now aligns with the ADTCA-TSANZ-OTA National Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Organ Allocation, Organ Rotation, Urgent Listing. 

Version 1.12 of the guidelines is available here: Clinical Guidelines for Organ Transplantation from Deceased Donors. 

National Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Organ Allocation, Rotation, Urgent Listing – Version 4.1 now available 

The National SOP: Organ Allocation, Rotation, Urgent Listing was published on Tuesday 30 January. 

The most recent updates reflect recent changes to the TSANZ Guidelines and decisions regarding organ allocation including: 

• Paediatric Heart Offering Principles (Section 3, Section 5, Appendix A, Appendix D).  
• This change includes offering to the NSW Heart Paediatric unit (via the St Vincent’s team). Appendix D outlines the new process which has been in operation since Monday 30 October 2023. 
• This change was raised by the Cardiac Transplant Advisory Committee (CTAC) and key stakeholders at Westmead Children’s Hospital and Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH).  
• The change is required because we now have more than one paediatric heart transplant centre. This will continue to be reviewed by CTAC in collaboration with Westmead, RCH and OTA as the NSW program establishes. 
• Organ Allocation Rotations.  
• Addition of NSW Paediatric into Heart and Bloc rotations. 
• Addition of WA into heart lung bloc rotations for NSW, VIC, TAS, SA. 
• Addition of NZ into heart rotations for QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS. 
• Removal of WA from QLD Lung rotation as requested by WA Lung Programme. 
• Removal of NZ from Adult Liver NT rotations as per NZ Liver Team review. 

Version 4.1 of the guidelines is available here: National Standard Operating Procedure – Organ Allocation, Organ Rotation, Urgent Listing. 

Register now for the ANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care Annual Scientific Meeting  

The ANZICS/ACCCN Intensive Care Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 April 2024. The ASM incorporates the annual Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Conference.  

The conference is a highlight in the Australia and New Zealand intensive care calendar. It brings together doctors, nurses and allied health practitioners in the fields of critical care and emergency medicine from both adult and paediatric disciplines. 

The theme of the meeting is ‘Evolution and Revolution’. For more information and to register, visit the Intensive Care ASM website. 

Taking the DonateLife message to university – and beyond 

We had a busy start to the year at DonateLife ACT. Our team and some volunteers attended both the Australian National University (ANU) and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Market Days. The ACT Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, visited the DonateLife ACT stall at the ANU Market Day to support our staff, who had over 500 visitors. 

Over the past few months, we’ve also worked collaboratively with Gift of Life Incorporated at various partnership forums and events. Together, we’re raising awareness of the importance of registering as an organ donor. 

Image caption: ACT Health Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA, and DonateLife ACT staff Wendy and Lisa at the Australian National University Market Day.

Image caption: Nadia Burkolter, DonateLife ACT Agency Manager, and transplant recipient Stephen Williams, guest speakers at the Gift of Life presentation at Icon Water.

Image caption: Nadia Burkolter, DonateLife ACT Agency Manager, welcomes participants to the Gift of Life Walk.

Image caption: Participants ready for the Gift of Life Walk in Canberra 

Image caption: 4-legged companions were also welcome at the Gift of Life Walk in Canberra

Education on HIV positive organ donation 

Many people are still uncertain about whether being HIV positive rules out the possibility of organ and tissue donation. To address this confusion, DonateLife NSW developed a social media campaign linking to an FAQ on the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service website. 

To increase awareness, we also worked with The Sydney Morning Herald to publish a story about an Australian first – a transplant between a HIV positive donor and recipient. 

Image caption: ‘Ryan’ was given another chance at life when he received a HIV-positive kidney donation. Image credit: Kate Geraghty, The Sydney Morning Herald

Milestone grant for the manufacture of human corneas 

The BIENCO consortium, including the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service (OTDS), has received a $35 million Australian Medical Research Future Fund grant for Australian Corneal Bioengineering. Creating bioengineered corneas will minimise dependency on tissue from deceased donors and have a significant impact on blindness globally. 

The OTDS Tissue Bank will lead the governance, regulatory and manufacturing elements of the project across 6 partner organisations. 7News reported on the grant in a news story you can watch now on their website. 

Image caption: Artificial cornea specimen developed by the BIENCO consortium. Image credit: Stefanie Zingsheim, University of Sydney

Telling the ‘whole story’ at Top End Gathering Day 

The DonateLife NT team were invited to run an information stall at the Top End Renal Services Gathering Day, on Thursday 18 January. The theme was ‘Working together, building trust and getting things straight: talking/yarning as a community’.  

DonateLife NT often get feedback that we need to tell the ‘whole story’ – from looking after our organs, to organ failure, through to transplantation and organ donation. This was an excellent opportunity for us to tell the whole story. 

Image caption: Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinators Brooke and Alison, who ran the DonateLife NT education stall at the Top End Renal Services Gathering Day.

Expos, dialysis, education and partnerships in Katherine 

At the end of January, DonateLife NT staff travelled to Katherine – 310km south-east of Darwin – for 2 days of intensive community education and engagement. We were invited to the Welcome to Tindal Expo, an annual event held at Tindal RAAF Base. 

While in the region, we visited the Fresenius Dialysis Unit and met a patient on the transplant wait list. We also chatted with dialysis patients who were keen to hear more about renal transplants and organ donation. 

Katherine hospital staff education sessions were held with members of the Emergency Department, and again with ward staff. 

As part of an ongoing partnership, the team also met with Wurli Wurlinjang, a local Aboriginal Community Controlled Healthcare Organisation (ACCHO). We discussed moving forward with community engagement after liaising and presenting to staff over the past 2 years. 

Image caption: Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Leigh and Alison providing education at the Welcome to Tindal Expo stall during their time in Katherine.

Two-way learning with the Aboriginal Interpreter Service 

DonateLife NT is involved in two-way, ongoing education with the Aboriginal Interpreter Service. We have now met twice to discuss organ donation, and how to support families despite language and cultural differences. 

In these meetings we teach the donation story. In return, we learn how to tell that story in a culturally safe way that supports grieving families. The interpreters are often in our family donation conversations and need to interpret the conversation into another language. 

At our next meeting, interpreter staff plan on giving us feedback on commonly used DonateLife phrases in clinical and community settings. 

Sky high registrations at the Top End Expo 

This is the seventh year that DonateLife NT have attended the Welcome to the Top End Defence Expo. This 6-hour event is organised annually to help orient military personnel recently posted to the Darwin region, and to advertise the services available. This event consistently has the highest registration rates of all expos and events we attend!

Image caption: Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Leigh and Laura volunteering their time to assist with the DL community stall at the Welcome to the Top End expo.

Baking for a touching cause 

DonateLife NT held a bake sale at Palmerston Regional Hospital on Wednesday 14 February. We raised money for bereavement supplies we give to grieving families. We are exploring funding bereavement boxes and a heartbeat in a bottle (a printout of a patient’s EKG placed in a medicine vial to create a simple yet meaningful gift). We also recently purchased teddy bears that can record a patient’s heartbeat, or messages from a loved one’s phone.

Image caption: Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Alison and Laura who volunteered their time by baking to raise money for bereavement supplies for the families we support.

Image caption: A photo of the display of bereavement items we are exploring purchasing with the funds raised from the bake sale. 

Talking about VAD and organ donation 

In December, State Medical Director Dr Leo Nunnink spoke to ABC Far North Queensland about organ donation after Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD). Queensland was the second state in Australia to enact the legislation. 

State Manager Tina Coco was also interviewed by the Queensland Health Newsroom about VAD. She highlighted the generosity of those who access VAD and choose to donate, if medically suitable. 

Image caption: State Manager Tina Coco, interviewed and photographed by Darren from the Queensland Health Newsroom. 

Maddi’s spirit lives on 

It’s always hard on the team when we lose one of our advocates. Unfortunately, this year started with the loss of Maddi Sivyer. She was a staunch DonateLife Community Champion, who at just 25 years old tragically passed away while waiting for a kidney transplant. 

Maddi was a proud Olkola Teppathiggi woman with connections to country near the Wenlock River, which is west of Cooktown. Born with Cystic Fibrosis, she became acutely ill and received a liver transplant at age 11. Her hospital visitors included local Broncos legend Sam Thaiday, and her absolute idol, Lady Gaga. Thankfully, Maddi pulled through, returning to school and later completing a psychology degree while relentlessly championing organ donation. 

Maddi worked closely with our Cairns Donation Specialist Nurse, Loren to mentor those waiting for transplant, and supported DonateLife at community events.  

Maddi shares her story in her own words in this video, which family have requested remain online to honour her promise to keep helping others, even when gone. Significantly, Maddi was able to donate tissue in a final gesture of her beliefs. 

Image caption: Milestones in Maddi's life, including graduating university and meeting Sam Thaiday. 

Works of art bring colour to Princess Alexandra Hospital 

Following on from our Amazing Race event during DonateLife Week 2023, we now have beautiful art on display. 

Nursing staff from the Anaesthetic Care Unit and the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) wore recycled surgical gowns, hand-painted by a local artist and friend to the team. Her beautiful images depict organs in a way that embody the spirit of DonateLife Week and the hard work of the clinical teams.  

The gowns have been framed and are now on display at the PAH main operating theatre patient entry. 

Image caption: The winning Princess Alexandra Hospital team celebrating at the DonateLife QLD Amazing Race in 2023. 

Image caption: The gowns are framed up at the Princess Alexandra Hospital main operating theatre patient entry. 

Don’t tri and stop them! 

In a remarkable display of support and solidarity, 48 DonateLife and Transplant Australia representatives fearlessly took on Round 6 of the Caloundra Triathlon Series.  

Participants included 2 kidney recipients, one liver recipient, and one heart and double lung recipient. They took part alongside their friends, family, and health care heroes – nurses and doctors from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Princess Alexandra Hospital. 

Everyone loved the experience so much they’re planning to do it again next year and are aiming for 100 participants! When it comes to championing organ and tissue donation, there is no finish line in sight.

Image caption: DonateLife and Transplant Australia team celebrating their wins after an eventful day.

Image caption: Heart recipient Col, kidney recipient Tushar and Col’s wife Cheryl, who staffed our DonateLife stall and spurred the teams on from the sidelines. 

See Staff updates for more details.

See Staff updates for more details.

Young transplant recipients hit the books 

DonateLife VIC had some wonderful media coverage to start the year. There were moving stories of organ recipients heading to primary and high school. Liver recipients Maia and Harry both started prep, and Archer began high school. 

Image caption: Liver recipient Archer Irwin has started high school and he's not taking anything for granted (Bendigo Advertiser, 30 January 2024). 

Image caption: 5-year-old liver recipient Maia Govan starts prep this year (Geelong Advertiser, 27 January 2024). 

Image caption: Liver transplant recipient Harrison started primary school this year (Star Weekly, 31 January 2024). 

The Herald Sun also ran an exclusive story about little waitlist baby, Harlen Busuttil, and his mum Kristy, on Saturday 20 January. Harlen’s story was syndicated in newspapers and online nationally. 

Image caption: Harlen Busuttil is currently on the waitlist for a liver transplant (The Herald Sun, 20 January 2024). 

In other media, ABC Radio National's ‘Life Matters’ interviewed donor husband Rob Clemmens, OTA CEO Lucinda Barry, and a blood donor for a special program about donation. You can listen to the interview on the ABC website now. 

Donor family Ian Aranyosi and State Medical Director Rohit D’Costa appeared on A Current Affair on Saturday 13 January. Ian shared his wife Heather's story and how she generously saved 7 lives by donating her organs. 

Raising awareness through local initiatives and partnerships 

DonateLife Victoria has sent letters to a sample of local government areas with low registration rates. We’ve offered our assistance to work with them and their communities to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. 

We continue supporting national sporting partners by attending the family day and season launches of the Melbourne Storm and Western Bulldogs. We’re also gearing up to head to the ChillOut Festival in Daylesford in early March. 

Applications now open for Research Scholarship 

DonateLife Victoria has launched a research scholarship, thanks to a generous bequest given by a grateful former liver transplant recipient. It will fund research related to increasing organ donation and transplantation, up to the amount of $25,000 per annum.  

Applications are now open nationally, and close 5 pm on Friday 29 March 2024. Download the DonateLife Victorian Research Scholarship Guidelines and Application Form today. 

If you have any questions about the scholarship, contact Matt Ellis: matellis@redcrossblood.org.au 

Curtin University O-Day a hit 

DonateLife WA had a stand at Curtin University’s Student Guild Orientation Day on Wednesday 21 February. We had a branded marquee, Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) forms, and iPads for online registrations. It was a fantastic day with many students visiting the stand to find out more about organ and tissue donation and registering on the AODR. 

Caption: Jenny Duggan speaking with a visitor at the DonateLife WA stand during the Curtin University Student Guild Orientation Day.

First education session with Fiona Stanley Research Group 

DonateLife WA Clinical Nurse Specialist Nicola Fletcher, from Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH), held an education session on Thursday 18 January 2024 with the Fiona Stanley Research Group. The group investigate different research trials in the hospital, and this was the first time DonateLife was asked to provide an education session. The group were very receptive and engaged and provided positive feedback.

Clinical education and recognition for Armadale Health Service 

The ICU at Armadale Health Service (AHS) has received a commendation from Edith Cowan University (ECU) for providing an exceptional learning environment for student nurse clinical placements. 

The ECU highlighted the dedication of DonateLife WA Clinical Nurse Specialist and Acting Education Coordinator, Nabeela Shihab during the ECU students’ final weeks in 2024. Nabeela facilitated education on organ donation, and 2 students were privileged to witness an organ retrieval in the hospital. 

Nabeela also attended several educational opportunities for organ and tissue donation. This included sessions with ECU nursing students, and monthly meetings with senior staff members. She also has an education session coming up in March with shift coordinators. 

Analytics and Technology 

We were thrilled to welcome Atika Farooqui to the Analytics and Technology team in January. Atika is acting in the role of Director to cover Kane Deering, who is acting in the role of National Manager to cover Mark McDonald, who is on leave travelling around Australia for the year. Phew! 

Clinical Programs 

At the end of February, we temporarily farewelled Carla Van Weerdenburg from the Clinical Programs team, as she headed off on maternity leave. We wish Carla some restful last few weeks of her pregnancy and look forward to the news of the birth of her second child. 

DonateLife ACT  

In January, DonateLife ACT welcomed Lisa Doble to the team as our new Communication and Engagement Officer. Lisa brings vast experience to this role from the public, private and most recently, not-for-profit sectors. Lisa is passionate about the work carried out by the organ and tissue donation teams and looks forward to raising awareness throughout the Canberra community and surrounds. 

DonateLife NSW 

DonateLife NSW General Manager of 10 years, Danielle Fisher, is stepping aside to take up a new role as Chief Executive Officer of BIENCO. This is a new consortium established to develop the world’s first bioengineered corneas. 

Danielle has overseen enormous changes at the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, including:  

• leading us to exceed national reform targets in 2018 for the first time 
• diversifying the NSW Tissue Bank to provide amnion and skin tissue for transplant, in addition to musculoskeletal and ocular tissue grafts 
• most recently, driving awareness of HIV positive organ donation and transplantation. 

Danielle has been a key driver in the NSW Government’s plan to increase organ and tissue registration and donation. A huge congratulations to Danielle and the fondest of farewells. 

We’re also thrilled to welcome Joanna Stathopoulos as the new project officer for DonateLife NSW. Joanna will be working with our volunteers and on community events.  

After watching the skilful and caring way nurses looked after her mother during breast cancer treatment, Joanna enrolled in nursing at Sydney University. Her first job, in Intensive Care during the pandemic at St George Hospital, opened her eyes to the extraordinary benefits of organ and tissue donation, and steered her towards a master's in health policy. Welcome aboard Jo! 

Over the past year we have also warmly welcomed the following new volunteers: Andrew and Donna Beer, Brenda Pratt, Jeffrey Chan, Kara Shiels, Kylie Ford, Leanne Holloway, Peter Ramshaw, Ron Spriggs and Marcus Sims. 

DonateLife QLD 

Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator Ian Rogers celebrates 20 years of service and dedication at Hervey Bay Hospital. A huge congratulations to Ian! 

Shontelle Thomas, Donation Specialist Nurse at the Queensland Children's Hospital, has recently been awarded the Jen Hoult Learning and Teaching Award. 

Shontelle contributes greatly towards supporting staff and families during times of distress and grief. She does this by developing thoughtful end-of-life resources and processes within the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. 

Image caption: Shontelle is pictured with Jen Hoult's husband and son.

Emma Graham, Donation Specialist Nurse at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH), has fulfilled one of her life goals by transitioning into a new role as a Donation Specialist Coordinator based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH). Congratulations, Emma! 

Image caption: Emma representing DonateLife at Pine Rivers State High School during a Health Expo in 2023.

We welcomed Emily Pritchard to the role of Donation Specialist Nurse at TPCH, following Emma’s transition to PAH. When she’s not looking after her two fur babies (a Cavoodle and a Border Collie cross), Emily trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is a Pilates teacher and is also a national-level field hockey umpire. 

Image caption: Outside her day job, Emily (on left in photo) is also a hockey umpire.

Lisa Mewburn, Donation Specialist Nurse at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, is currently on maternity leave. We’re lucky to temporarily have plant-loving Jess Matthies joining our team to cover for Lisa. Jess grew up in Papua New Guinea and is American by birth, but happily calls Australia home. She enjoys challenging herself intellectually through reading, weight-training and Muay Thai. 

We’re also looking forward to welcoming Shona McDonald back to her Donation Specialist Nurse role at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Easter. 

Our Business Support Officer, Shine Zhang, went on maternity leave late in 2023 and has welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Harper. Harper was born with a full head of hair and is enjoying regular visits to the hairdresser! 

Image caption: Shine Zhang's daughter Harper. 

The business finance team also has a new face, with Dani Franici stepping into the role of Business Manager. Dani is a dedicated parent to two adult children and a retired greyhound. Besides tabulating excel sheets and tracking expenses, she enjoys singing and doing aqua sports. Dani joins us while Jenny Rees is on long-service leave, catching up with friends, attending music festivals and travelling the world. 

DonateLife SA 

In February, we said goodbye to 2 amazing members of DonateLife SA team. 

Dale Birrell, Communications and Community Engagement Officer, started working with us in March 2022. She helped deliver multiple events such as DonateLife Week and our Rose Planting Ceremony. 

Amber Stanton, Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator since August 2022, moved to the SAAS MedSTAR – the emergency medical retrieval service for the state of South Australia. 

They will both be dearly missed! 

Image caption: Dale Birrell, Communications and Community Engagement Officer. 

Image caption: Amber Stanton, Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator. 

DonateLife TAS 

DonateLife Tasmania welcomes Ash Jones. She started work as a Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator at Launceston General Hospital (LGH) in mid-December 2023. 

Ash brings a wealth of experience to the Launceston team as an Intensive Care nurse at LGH. She joins her colleagues Grace Southwell, Jenna Hughes and Zoe Butler to form the largest team we’ve had to date at this hospital. 

In her spare time Ash enjoys travelling, and spending time with her partner and dogs. 

Image caption: Ash Jones LGH DSNC. 

In September 2023, Grace Southwell returned to the Launceston General Hospital team after giving birth to her beautiful son, Archie. Grace enjoys being back in the DonateLife team and is looking forward to 2024 with her new Northern colleagues. 

Image caption: Grace Southwell LGH DSNC. 

DonateLife Victoria 

We're very happy to welcome Monique Drury, Anna McNamara and Kris Willmot back to the DonateLife VIC team. 

Monique has returned to the Senior Education Coordinator role, and Anna and Kris have returned to the Alfred Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator team.  

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Howell as our new Nurse Donation Specialist in Albury. Jane has extensive ICU experience and is currently the Clinical Nurse Consultant for Blood Management in the Safety and Quality Unit in Albury. She begins this role at the start of March and will join casework training in April. 

DonateLife WA 

We’ve had a few staff movements and updates in the DonateLife WA team over the past few months:  

• We farewelled Donation Specialist Coordinator (DSC) Paul Garrity in January and wished him all the best in his new role at WA Country Health Service.  
• Lisa Dewar joined DonateLife WA and North Metro Health Service as our new Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer. 
• Syra Bux re-joined DonateLife WA as a DSC in February, coming from Fiona Stanley Hospital. 
• Tanya Badenhorst arrived from Fiona Stanley Hospital in February to commence her training as a DSC. 
• We welcomed new Agency manager Laura Sweeney in January.  
• Natala Taylor joined us in January from Royal Perth Hospital and has commenced her training as a DSC. 

Image caption: New DonateLife Agency manager Laura Sweeney, pictured with friendly mascot Aldo. 

Image caption: Donation Specialist Coordinator Natala Taylor.

DonateLife WA had the pleasure of hosting a young volunteer from Thailand through December and January – bone marrow transplant recipient Kittiwit Chailee. Kittiwit has been studying English in Perth and competed in the 24th World Transplant Games in April 2023. He won 2 gold medals in the men’s singles and doubles badminton categories, and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles category. 

Kittiwit is one of the many inspiring athletes who have overcome health challenges and celebrated the gift of life through organ donation and transplantation. He was so honoured to give back to the Western Australian community and it was a pleasure working with him and practicing English together. 

Image caption: Hannah Wilkinson, Diane Kearney, Kittiwit Chailee and Laura Sweeney. 

Staff Profile: Amelia Moon, DonateLife Tasmania 

Image caption: DonateLife Tasmania Administration Assistant, Amelia Moon, with Springer Spaniel, Willa.

What’s your role in the DonateLife Network? 

Administration Assistant. I am proudly the first administrative assistant for DonateLife Tasmania.

What does your role include? 

My role includes providing administrative support to assist clinical and non-clinical staff in the day-to-day operation of DonateLife Tasmania. My primary responsibilities are document management, booking travel arrangements, organising workshops/events, submitting timesheets and staff allowances.  

Although I am not in a clinical role, I feel lucky to be able to assist and support the clinical team and hopefully make their lives a little easier, so that they can focus on their difficult and important roles. I’m forever in awe of my clinical colleagues and the work they do to make donation possible and to support families at a time of loss.  

What led you to your career?  

I have worked as a medical administrative assistant for many years, starting with a business traineeship not long out of college at the Hobart Private Hospital. I’ve found joy in assisting others. I was on the lookout for a job in an organisation that really makes a difference in society. When I applied for this position in 2018, I was super happy to be appointed and am proud to tell people what I do for work.  

What was your first job?  

I worked weekends as a dishy for a café/restaurant and after college, of a night-time I cleaned the indoor pool at Woodbridge Hill Hideaway – bonus was getting to go for a swim after cleaning the pool! 

Are you an early bird or a night owl?  

110% a night owl.  

Are you a dog person or a cat person (or neither)?  

Doggos all the way. I’m allergic to cats...  

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?  

Healing powers – to heal any kind of illness, disease, health problem, heartache…   

Secondly would be to fly because everyone wants to fly, right?!  

If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?  

Spotify, Instagram and the BOM Weather app that I am weirdly addicted to!  

What’s your favourite sport to watch and which team do you barrack for?  

AFL. Saints for the win in 2024! 

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into?  

Gardening – it seems incredibly therapeutic, plus getting to eat your own fruit and veg would be super rewarding. 

What’s the top destination on your must-visit list?  

Switzerland. It looks stunning! Or Finland, because it’s ranked the happiest country in the world for the sixth year in a row. 

What’s your go-to karaoke song?  

Urgh… I have only gone to karaoke once and I chose ‘Scar’ by Missy Higgins. I will admit that liquid courage was the only thing getting me up on that stage!