Dear DonateLife team,
Welcome to the latest edition of the DonateLife Network Update. This time of year, we’re full swing into DonateLife Week.
A big focus this year for DonateLife Week is encouraging our passionate volunteers and supporters to take part and share the message with their own networks. Trying a new way of engaging, the Communications and Engagement team hosted 2 online information sessions in early July. The sessions provided our advocates with information about DonateLife Week 2024, and how they can get involved. And, the team launched a supporters hub on the DonateLife website to complement the information sessions. It’s filled with digital and downloadable resources including social media tiles, signature banners, posters and suggested content to share.
It’s not too late to visit the hub to see how you can get involved.
Image: Belinda Chilton and Lucinda Barry AM present an online information session to volunteers and supporters.
I’ve been meeting with lots of journalists leading up to DonateLife Week, starting with an interview I had with NewsCorp at the end of June. We talked about how many Australians think they’re registered to be an organ and tissue donor but aren’t, and vice versa. It was great to be able to talk to some of the results of the research we commissioned through Fiftyfive5 over the last year. It was also a great opportunity to encourage Australians to check if they are registered, and if not, to sign up and talk to their families. The interview accompanied a news story about organ donation and registration in a double-page spread published on Sunday 14 July.
Image: A double-page spread about organ donation and registration in the Herald Sun, published Sunday 14 July.
I also filmed a pre-recorded interview with WIN TV for national syndication. The story covered adventurer Stephen from Bathurst who died and became a donor earlier this year.
The journalist interviewed Stephen’s fiancé Jen who had spoken with Stephen many times over the years about wanting to become organ donors. Stephen was a registered donor, so it made the decision to support donation so much easier for Jen.
Thanks to all DonateLife staff involved in preparations for DonateLife Week more locally to you, and for helping to get as many people as possible talking about organ and tissue donation over the next few weeks. We’re looking forward to sharing a comprehensive wrap up in the next edition.
Image: Lucinda Barry was interviewed by WIN TV for a DonateLife Week story.
Having passed the mid-year point, it’s timely for us to look at our year-to-date data to see how we’re tracking. With a 4% increase in the total number of organ donors from the same period last year (1 January through 30 June), the outcomes seem to be continuing to recover from the decline of the COVID years. It’s excellent to note that both referral rates and staff raised discussions involving a Donation Specialist Nurse have again increased from last year’s numbers. You can read more year-to-date progress in this edition’s data update.
In June, several OTA colleagues and I attended the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). On the night before the conference welcome reception, I attended a session on Women in Transplantation where the Hon Assistant Minister Kearney MP shared some inspiring words about equity for women who need transplants.
Less women are waitlisted and receive a transplant, however more donate (living). This is also a disparity in the transplant workforce. She also outlined the government’s action around women’s health more broadly.
Image: Lucinda Barry AM, OTA CEO (far right) stands with the Hon Assistant Minister Ged Kearney MP (middle), Kate Wyburn, and special guests at the Women in Transplantation session.
It was great to see many of our colleagues in the donation and transplantation sector in attendance. In particular, I really enjoyed the opportunity to catch up and network with our TSANZ, OrganMatch and Australia and New Zealand Kidney Exchange (ANZKX) colleagues.
Warm wishes,
Lucinda
What's coming up
| Date | Activity |
Wednesday 7 August | Clinical Governance Committee Meeting |
Thursday 8 August | Jurisdictional Advisory Group Meeting |
Tuesday 20 - Thursday 22 August | TAS hospital engagement visit |
Wednesday 21 August | Paediatric Working Group |
Tuesday 27 August | VSEAC meeting |
Monday 2 - Wednesday 4 September | NT hospital engagement visit |
Thursday 5 September | Nurse managers meeting |
| Wednesday 11 - Thursday 12 September | VIC hospital engagement visit |
| Wednesday 18 September | OTA Advisory Board meeting |
| Sunday 22 - Wednesday 25 September | 30th International Congress of The Transplantation Society, Istanbul |
2024 NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service Symposium
The NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service invites you to its annual Clinical Symposium.
| Date: | Wednesday 27 November 2024 |
| Time: | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (networking drinks 5 pm - 7 pm) |
| Venue: | Rydges World Square, Grand Ballroom, 389 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 |
Virtual attendance options will also be available. Mark your calendar and watch this space for further details.
OTA updates:
Year to Date data: January to June 2024
Donation and transplant outcomes are still recovering from the declines during COVID years (2020–2022). Up to the end of June 2024, there were:
- 257 deceased donors for January to June, a 4% increase on the same period in 2023 (248)
- 647 transplant recipients for January to June, 4% lower compared with the same period in 2023 (677).
The DonateLife audit data to the end of June 2024 shows a national consent rate of 54%, down 1% from 55% during the same period in 2023. Other key metrics include:
- 88% overall referral rate, up from 85% during the same period in 2023
- 86% of staff raised discussions involved a Donation Specialist Nurse, up from 84% during the same period in 2023.
Consents, declines and consent rate by age group, January to June 2024
The graph below shows the outcome of family donor conversations (declined or consented, and consent rate) across potential donor age groups.
There were the largest number of donation requests for potential donors aged between 40 and 79 years. Requests were fewest for potential donors over 80, given the age restriction for certain organs when under offer to a Transplant Unit.
Interestingly, about half of all requests regarding potential donors under the age of 80 resulted in the family or next of kin consenting to organ donation (50% consent rate). This pattern is consistent and in line with previous years. For potential donors over 80 – though a very small sample – the consent jumps to 75%.
The graph highlights a consistent trend towards organ donation across all age groups, with varying levels of consent and decline. It underscores the importance of raising awareness about the significance of organ donation and the impact it can have on saving and improving lives.
Figure 1: Consents, declines and Consent rate [%] by age group (YTD 2024)
| Discussions Final Decision | <18 | 18-39 | 40-59 | 60-79 | +80 |
| Declined | 16.00 | 52.00 | 110.00 | 115.00 | 1.00 |
| Consent | 17.00 | 64.00 | 123.00 | 130.00 | 3.00 |
Actual donors by gender and age group, January to June 2024
There are 257 donors to date in 2024. The majority of donors were from the 40 to 79 age group, with a single donor over 80 years of age.
Consistent with data from previous years, most organ donors to date have been male. Interestingly, and in contrast to the usual trend, there are more female donors to date in the 60 to 79 age group.
Figure 2: Actual donors by gender and age group (YTD 2024)
DonateLife Week 2024
This DonateLife Week, why not test your photography skills? We are shining magenta lights on loads of important buildings, bridges, monuments and more across the country. Check out the light-up locations in your state or territory. We’d love to see and share your snaps!
Share your photos on social media, use the hashtag #DonateLifeWeek2024 and tag us – we’re on Facebook as DonateLife, and Instagram as @DonateLifeToday.
Whilst you’re on your socials, make sure to like and share our DonateLife Week posts, reels and stories.
We also have heaps of events taking place in all states and territories. Have a look at what’s happening across Australia on our events page. We’d love for you to take part and show your support for organ and tissue donation.
Community Awareness Grant update
The successful DonateLife Community Awareness Grant recipients for 2024 were announced in May. This year, 11 organisations were announced as DonateLife Community Partners and will share over $389,000 in Community Awareness Grants.
The successful community partners will help us boost awareness about organ and tissue donation among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, multicultural and faith groups in 2024. They will do this by developing digital content and resources and hosting events during DonateLife Week specifically for these audiences.
One in 3 Australians were born overseas and 1 in 5 Australians also speak a language other than English at home. Raising awareness and educating Australia’s diverse communities in a meaningful way is critical for increasing donation rates, and ensuring we have donors from a range of communities and ethnicities.
Events running during DonateLife Week include a free public concert, African storytelling, a lunch for Chinese community leaders and a workshop to raise awareness amongst the Greek community.
Look out for more updates on their progress in coming editions.
Image: The Oz Transplants (with liver transplant surgeon Robert Jones), who are using their community awareness grant to hold a free public concert in Victoria during DonateLife Week. Photo by Andrew Chapman Photography.
Engagement with General Practitioners (GPs)
On Monday 29 April, Associate Professor Helen Opdam joined Dr Norman Swan, a GP and a donor family for a webinar for GPs to help raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. The webinar focused on the vital role GPs can play in raising awareness and encouraging people to register as organ and tissue donors.
The webinar is part of our Tonic Health Media partnership, which also includes GP information kits that were delivered to around 3,300 GP clinics in June. Watch the webinar or download the podcast.
Image: An ad promoting the GP webinar, which was chaired by Dr Norman Swan.
Janette Hall Scholarship opening soon for applications
The Janette Hall Professional Training and Development Scholarship Program is provided in memory of Janette Hall. Janette was a donation specialist nurse who became an organ and tissue donor in December 2010. The Scholarship was established to support the professional development of staff working within the DonateLife Network.
The next Scholarship round opens for submissions on Thursday 1 August, and closes on Wednesday 28 August 2024, 5 pm AEST.
Applicants are encouraged to apply with an activity that will increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities in organ donation, with clear relevance to the Organ and Tissue Authority Strategy 2022–2027.
Suitable applicants are nurses and allied health professionals (or other relevant professionals) who are currently employed and working as part of the DonateLife Network.
Applicants may apply for funding for a domestic or international activity, including conferences, training courses, workshops, and study tours.
The Scholarship round held in February 2024 was very successful, with 5 recipients awarded funding ranging from $2,809 to $15,000. Their professional development activities include an international study tour, international training courses, and domestic and international conferences. These activities will greatly benefit the individuals, as well as the DonateLife Network and the National Donation Program.
The Scholarship Guideline for Applicants and other relevant documents are available on the DonateLife Learning Management System.
If you have any questions, please contact the OTA at education@donatelife.gov.au.
2023 VSEAC Annual Report
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Annual Report of the Australian Vigilance and Surveillance System for Organ Donation and Transplantation. The annual report provides a high-level summary of learnings. It also outlines the Australian Vigilance and Surveillance System, which is in place to explore issues and drive positive practice changes.
The System complements state and territory clinical incident management and reporting systems by providing a national reporting and evaluation process. The OTA and the Vigilance and Surveillance Expert Advisory Committee continue to strongly encourage the reporting of actual or potential adverse events and reactions. The knowledge can be used to help inform future advice, recommendations, and guidelines.
Read more and download a copy of the report on the DonateLife website.
Offering Process for Hepatitis C Virus Positive Donors
The Transplantation Society of Australia & New Zealand (TSANZ) has clarified the offering process for kidneys from HCV positive donors. All transplant units have agreed to receive offers and consider kidneys from HCV IgG-positive/NAT-negative and HCV NAT-positive donors.
This will continue to be routinely reviewed by the Renal Transplant Advisory Committee (RTAC) as internal transplant unit policies evolve.
Conference attendance update
Rosalie Grivell from the OTA Clinical Programs team attended and presented at the Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) conference in early July.
Rosalie’s poster presentations covered recent work by the Clinical Programs team to evaluate and develop Introductory Donation Awareness Training (IDAT) and Web coaching.
The conference was a great opportunity to hear about developments and innovations from a wide variety of disciplines across the health professions. We encourage staff in our network to attend if you are interested in all thing’s education.
Registrations open: Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) and organ donation webinar
Rosalie Grivell is working with DonateLife nursing and medical donation specialists to share information around VAD and organ donation.
A webinar is scheduled for clinicians across the DonateLife Network to share their experiences with VAD. The webinar takes place on Tuesday 20 August, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm AEST. If you’d like to attend, you can register online now.
Network news:
Community Engagement
DonateLife ACT have begun weekly presentations to Year 10 students at the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) Program. The presentations are happening during the school term, in both school and hospital ICU settings.
Image (left): DonateLife ACT Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators presenting to students at the PARTY Program in the Canberra Hospital ICU.
Image (right): PARTY Program Trauma team and DonateLife ACT staff preparing to deliver to students.
On Monday 27 May 2024 for Reconciliation Day, we joined other stallholders, performers, artists and vendors in Commonwealth Park. It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the ACT community on a beautiful Autumn Day.
Image: Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA and DonateLife volunteer Kathleen at the DonateLife ACT stall on Reconciliation Day.
In June, we also attended a Wellbeing Market Day at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Staff members took time during their day to wander down and have a chat to stallholders. There was a lot of interest and questions in relation to organ and tissue donation. Many were already registered or took a brochure with the intent of registering once they were back at their desks. It was a great group to interact with and an excellent engagement opportunity.
Morale boost
We all know that being appreciated can boost morale in the workplace. A new positive learning platform, Learning From Excellence (LEX), is aiming to do just that. Adopted recently by NSW Health, the platform is already proving popular with DonateLife NSW team members, who have begun submitting entries. LEX originated in the UK and aims to learn from what we do well, provide positive feedback to staff, and share lessons learnt from excellence in clinical practice.
The program will collate data and feedback to help improve the workplace by recognising and appreciating excellent practice.
Eyes to the future
The NSW Tissue Bank’s understanding of ophthalmology got a recent boost when staff attended the Eye Bank Association of Australia and New Zealand conference in Melbourne.
The Biotherapeutics Association of Australia Eye and Tissue Banking Conference was held at the same time. Topics ranged from donor criteria and ethical considerations of consent to the pivotal role of banks in research allocation.
Sri Lankan Harvesting Festival
On Saturday 6 April, DonateLife NT hosted a stall at the Sri Lankan Harvesting Festival. With over 400 attendees it was a busy day, with many people stopping to discuss organ and tissue donation. There were many questions, the most common being whether non-residents of Australia could be organ donors. Adults and children were asked age-appropriate myth-busting questions for a chance to spin the prize wheel and win some DonateLife merchandise. We were pleased to help many attendees register online and via paper forms.
Image: Nirmala Godavitharana (President of the NT Sri Lankan-Australian Friendship Association) with Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Laura Donnellan and Brooke Eppelstun at the Sri Lankan Harvesting Festival.
Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) Operating Theatre Workshop
On Saturday 11 May, DonateLife NT co-facilitated an organ donation theatre workshop – the first of its kind to be held in Darwin. This was attended by the perioperative nurses and the Darwin and Alice Springs Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators.
In the morning, Clinical Nurse Manager Leigh Hill and the RDH Perioperative Clinical Nurse Educator discussed end of life and donation pathways. This was followed by a practical session on donation theatre. The workshop was effective in demystifying the process and building staff confidence.
Image: Royal Darwin Hospital perioperative nurses and the Darwin and Alice Springs Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators participating in the Operating Theatre Workshop.
Batchelor Institute: Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) Student Education
Clinical Nurse Manager Leigh Hill and Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator Lani Hewett travelled 100km south of Darwin to present at the Batchelor Institute in May.
The Batchelor Institute is the only First Nations dual sector tertiary education provider in Australia. Leigh presented on organ donation to this year’s Aboriginal Health Practitioner (AHP) students from across the Northern Territory. The students are undertaking a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care.
There were almost 40 AHP students in attendance and the session was very interactive. Participants were particularly interested in how we offer First Nations families organ donation, the use of interpreters, the role of the family in decision-making, matching organs to recipients (and the role ethnicity plays in this) and the paired kidney exchange program.
DonateLife NT have been participating in this education for over 5 years, with increasing engagement every year with each new cohort of students.
Image: Clinical Nurse Manager Leigh Hill presenting to Aboriginal Health Practitioner students at the Batchelor Institute.
Darwin Practical Family Donation Conversation (pFDC) Workshop
DonateLife NT donation nurses and Royal Darwin Hospital intensive care consultants participated in a pFDC workshop in early June. The workshop was facilitated by Steve Philpot and Bernie Dwyer at the Hilton Hotel on the Darwin Esplanade.
The workshop explored communication about donation with families, and included some scenarios tailored for discussions with First Nations families.
Street Smart High
On 6 June, the DonateLife NT team participated in Street Smart High. This is an annual event that offers Year 10 and 11 students an immersive experience about the impact of dangerous and distracted driving, and the consequences for those involved in a crash.
Director Lee Wood spoke to over 1,300 students about intensive care, organ donation and the importance of family members knowing each other’s donation decision.
During the lunch break, members of the DonateLife NT team spoke to students at an information booth. Many students took away organ donor registration forms and demonstrated an eagerness to discuss the topic with their families. One student shared his story of being saved by an organ and tissue donor at 4 weeks of age, when he received a heart valve transplant.
Overall, it was a positive and informative event, which DonateLife NT will participate in annually.
Image: Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Teagan Nalder and Ali Watters at the Darwin Street Smart High event.
Pride events
In June, the DonateLife NT team participated in 2 Pride events.
On Thursday 20 June the team baked for, assisted with, and set up an information stall at the Royal Darwin Hospital Pride Bake Sale. There was significant interest from staff, with the DonateLife NT Pride merchandise proving very popular, and many staff members registering to be organ donors.
On Saturday 22 June, members of the team attended the Pride Family Fun Day held at the Darwin Waterfront. Once again, there was great engagement, registrations and interest in the DonateLife NT Pride merchandise.
Image (left): Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator Ali Watters at the Darwin Pride Family Fun Day.
Image (right): Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinators Laura Donnellan and Ali Watters at the Darwin Pride Family Fun Day.
QUT Biomed event
Donation Specialist Coordinators (DSCs) Emma and Prue from the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) visited the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane for a talk with first-year biomed students.
The students learnt more about the organ and tissue donation process, what working at DonateLife looks like and how their biomed course could relate to organ and tissue donation. Biomed student Alana, the daughter of a heart and kidney recipient, also shared her family’s story. Her experience with transplantation really resonated with her peers.
Image: A collaboration between QUT Biomed students and DonateLife QLD.
Tour De Brisbane
The adrenaline was electric at the Tour de Brisbane. More than 7,000 cyclists helped raise over $70,000 for transplant research through the Common Good Foundation at The Prince Charles Hospital. DonateLife Queensland were lucky to be supported by heart recipient volunteers on the day. They also met cyclists who were riding only because of the generosity of organ donors who gifted them with new hearts, lungs and livers.
Image: Carlene and Paul (heart recipient) at the Tour de Brisbane supporting their daughters who were participating.
Samford Emergency Services Expo
The crowd at the Samford Emergency Services Expo were among the friendliest we’ve encountered. We registered scores of attendees and helped many more check their registration status.
We also had a dedicated crew of volunteers that day – liver recipient Mary and her contingent of family supporters, Sam whose dad is a liver recipient, and 2 young biomed students from QUT who kindly offered to share the load.
Image: DonateLife Qld staff and volunteers making great connections at Samford Emergency Services Expo.
Saving lives is certainly high steaks!
Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator Jo and the dream team from Rockhampton Hospital attended the region’s event of the year – Beef Week. Jo helped people register as organ and tissue donors, including the Premier of Queensland Steven Miles. State Health Minister Shannon Fentiman also came down to support the stall.
Image (left): DSNC Jo from Rockhampton with Qld Premier Steven Miles who signed on to the AODR.
Image (right): Liver recipient Lee and his wife Sandy at Beef Week Rockhampton.
International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day was celebrated on Sunday 12 May across our sunny state to acknowledge the life-changing and life-saving work of our amazing nurses.
Donation Nurse Shontelle from the Queensland Children’s Hospital held a DonateLife stall. She also met the aunt of young Mia, one of our featured recipients in last year’s national DonateLife Week campaign. She was very proud of Mia and thankful to the transplant teams for the work they do.
Image (left and middle): Nurses at QCH celebrating International Nurses Day.
Image (right): QCH Nurse and Aunt of Mia, one of our featured recipients in last year’s national DonateLife Week campaign.
Services of Remembrance in Queensland
Ten services were held across Queensland, with many heartfelt moments and uplifting stories shared by recipients and donor families from Cairns to the Gold Coast. In honour of donor families, Donation Nurse Coordinator Mark from Townsville sang ‘You Raise Me Up’ at our Brisbane and Townsville services, bringing tears to our eyes.
Image (left): Young liver recipient Cooper and his mum Jess handing out roses to attendees at the Brisbane Service.
Image (middle): Gold Coast supporters, including altruistic kidney donor Gordon (second from left) and donor wife Sonya (third from left) lightning a candle in honour of donor families.
Image (right): Donation Nurse Coordinator Mark (front row, third from right) with staff from Townsville Hospital.
Gift of Life Walk along the Bay
There was an amazing show of support at the Wynnum Manly Gift of Life Walk in Brisbane. Volunteers, supporters and staff gathered on a Sunday morning in June to support organ and tissue donation. Everyone enjoyed the cool coastal breeze, blue skies, good company and a classic sausage sizzle.
Images: Walkers at the Wynnum Manly Gift of Life Walk
Sunshine Coast Lightning strikes again
Sunshine Coast Lightning teamed up with DonateLife ahead of their Round 10 game to help raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. They invited Glen and Adam Gerrie, a father and son kidney donor-recipient duo, to chat with the players about their story. On game day, liver recipient Elise, and heart and kidney recipient Matt, kicked the game off with the guard of honour and the coin and ball toss.
Image (left): Adam and Glen Gerrie with the Sunshine Coast Lightning players.
Image (right): Game Day with our sea of supporters.
Footy match to honour organ donors Chris Buss and Charlie Stevens
On Saturday May 25, members of DonateLife SA team attended a footy match at Goodwood Oval. The match honoured the memory of two 18-year-old boys who tragically lost their lives in separate road accidents, and to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.
Goodwood Saints and PHOS Camden football clubs recently created the Chris Buss – Charlie Stevens Trophy, to be presented to the winning team of the match.
Charlie is the youngest son of SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and wife Emma who invited DonateLife SA to the event. Greg and Georgine Buss, Chris’ parents, were also present at the match. The families supported each other in an emotional encounter.
Dr Stewart Moodie, State Medical Director; Amanda Stewart, Clinical Manager; Deb Clothier, Administrative Manager, and Camila Lumsden, Communications and Community Engagement Officer attended the event. They engaged with both families and the local footy community promoting awareness on organ and tissue donation.
Image (left): Emma and Grant Stevens and Greg and Georgine Buss, holding the Chris Buss – Charlie Stevens Trophy.
Image (middle): The Goodwood Saints footy team.
Image (right): Jordan Dodd, president of Goodwood Saints, with Greg Buss, Grant and Emma Stevens, and Stewart Moodie.
DonateLife SA participates in event to educate intensive care doctors
DonateLife SA proudly sponsored the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) education day for the second year. Performance under Pressure Took place on Friday 28 June at Mt Lofty House and covered 2 sessions about organ and tissue donation. The sessions ‘Pressure points in organ donation’ and ‘Donation in End of Life scenarios’ were both presented by DonateLife SA’s Medical Director Dr Stewart Moodie. The audience was 35 ICU doctors (registrars and consultants) from all sites across Adelaide and interstate.
The CICM education day was organised by Dr Michael Farquharson (ICU Consultant from the Royal Adelaide Hospital and chair of the SA CICM board) and Josephine Gard (SA CICM Trainee Representative and ICU Registrar).
The education day approached the theme of Performance under Pressure from multiple directions. It included hearing from a performance psychologist, Dr Patsy Tremayne, and experienced people working in high pressure environments: Dr Neel Bhanderi (Director of Medstar) and Dr Craig Jurisevic (trauma surgeon who has had recent experience in Ukraine). Dr Amy Sanguesa presented on communication in general, as well as some case-based discussions around communicating with families and other teams.
DonateLife TAS at AGFEST
DonateLife Tasmania exhibited at AGFEST in northern Tasmania, from Thursday 2 May to Saturday 4 May.
The event is Tasmania’s largest state-wide annual outdoor expo, with almost 60,000 patrons visiting the event. Visitors experienced beautiful sunny and mild autumn weather for the full duration of the 3-day event.
It was a great opportunity to promote donor registration and raise awareness about organ and tissue donation with the community.
The unusually long stretch of great weather and high crowd numbers created the perfect opportunity for hundreds of conversations about donation over the 3 days.
Image (left): DonateLife Tasmania volunteers at the AGFEST stand.
Image (middle): Attendees at AGFEST 2024 post for a photo at the DonateLife stand.
Image (right): Attendees and volunteers at AGFEST 2024 post for a photo at the DonateLife stand.
DonateLife Gift of Life artwork launch at Royal Hobart Hospital
The DonateLife Gift of Life artwork was officially launched at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) on Wednesday 22 May.
Joe McDonald, Chief Executive Hospitals South welcomed the artwork to RHH, together with Dr Andrew Turner, DonateLife Tasmania State Medical Director and invited guests.
The artwork symbolises the unseen human relationship between organ and tissue donors and transplant recipients. In coming together 2 lives are changed forever, connected, and transformed.
It makes an enduring rich visual contribution to the physical space at RHH. A focal point for patients, visitors, staff, and the community to reflect on the generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families, and the hope provided to transplant recipients.
Donatelife Tasmania acknowledges support for the project provided by RHH, Arts Tasmania, and the Organ and Tissue Authority.
One of the media stories that resulted from the launch is available online.
Image (left): The DonateLife ‘Gift of Life’ artwork, newly installed at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Image (right): Attendees at the launch of the new ‘Gift of Life’ artwork at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Human Tissue Act Tas Amendment Bill
In late June, the Tasmanian Parliament passed the Human Tissue Amendment Bill 2024. The Bill governs the donation and transplantation of human tissue within Tasmania.
The Human Tissue Amendment Bill 2024 amends the Human Tissue Act 1985. It allows for DonateLife Tasmania, with the consent of organ donor families, to publish information that identifies organ donors for commemoration and promotional activities. It also corrects other administrative and technical deficiencies in the Human Tissue Act that have emerged as inconsistent with contemporary advancements in medical and scientific practices.
The Bill can be read online at the Parliament of Tasmania website.
DonateLife Tasmania State Manager Susan Towns met with Tasmanian Health Minister Guy Barnett during the week the legislation was being tabled for discussion.
Minister Barnett stated, ‘It was an honour to join Susan Towns as we drive legislation that will support an organ donor’s family and provide unparalleled level of closure for families, and organ recipients. I hope this inspires other Tasmanians to consider becoming organ donors.’
Image: Tasmanian Health Minister Guy Barnett and DonateLife Tasmania State Manager Susan Towns met to support the Human Tissue Amendment Bill 2024.
2023 Victoria Year in Review
DonateLife Victoria released their 2023 Year in Review report in May. The report tells the story of donation and transplantation in Victoria in 2023. It also includes highlights from the year, updates about nursing, medical, marketing and communications, education, and includes interviews with staff and recipients. Download and read a copy of DonateLife Victoria 2023 Year in Review [PDF 15.8MB].
Werribee Donor Centre community info session
On Saturday 4 May, DonateLife Victoria and Lifeblood hosted a community information session at the Werribee Donor Centre. The session celebrated the multicultural community of donors, and the multiple ways in which the community can come together to give life. Kidney recipient Hussein spoke about his experience, as did his sister Ikram. An article on the event was published in the Wyndham Star Weekly.
Image: Kidney recipient Hussein with his sisters at Lifeblood’s Werribee Donor Centre.
ANZICS President’s Medal
A hearty congratulations to DonateLife Victoria Medical Donation Specialist, Dr Forbes McGain, who has been awarded the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) President’s Medal. Forbes received the prestigious accolade for his significant contribution to intensive care medicine. He was also acknowledged for his relentless pursuit of excellence, innovative approach to medicine, and commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Image: DonateLife Victoria’s Medical Donation Specialist, Dr Forbes McGain.
Donation and Transplantation Symposium
DonateLife Victoria will host a Donation and Transplantation Symposium on Friday 13 September. The day will offer a valuable networking opportunity for both our donation and transplant teams to connect, collaborate and share ideas to enhance donation and transplantation in Victoria.
Busselton Festival of Triathlon
The Busselton Festival of Triathlon ran from Saturday 4 to Sunday 5 May 2024, with 4 transplant teams and a solo entrant taking part for Transplant Australia WA. They all finished the event and had a great time. Triathlon WA also made several announcements about the importance of organ and tissue donation, with had lots of people visiting the DonateLife/Transplant WA stall to find out more information.
Image (left): The teams and solo entrant taking part in the Busselton Festival of Triathlon.
Image (right): Participants took photos with the DonateLife Instagram cut-out at the Busselton Festival of Triathlon.
Cyril Jackson Senior College Wellbeing & Harmony Day
DonateLife WA held an interactive stall at the CJ Wellbeing and Harmony Day Event on Wednesday 8 May. The attendees were students aged 16 and up, from over 50 countries.
We were swept up with their zest for life and knowledge, and they were as diverse in their language as they are in their life experiences. There was a high proportion of students who had only been in Australia for a couple of weeks, months, or years. Many have only just started learning English, while others are on a pathway for TAFE, university, or work.
PlusLife Life Presentation to DonateLife Staff
At the end of May, PlusLife CEO, Hal Boronovskis and Production Manager, Michelle Zeelenberg visited Hawthorn House and delivered a presentation to the clinical staff. They discussed upcoming changes to the way tissue donation is managed in WA.
Staff updates
Clinical programs said a heartfelt goodbye to National Training Coordinator Bernie Dwyer. She’s taking extended leave until the end of the year before starting her well-earned retirement. However, the team is excited to announce that Bianca Topp from DonateLife QLD was successful in the EOI process to backfill the National Training Coordinator position and has joined the OTA team for the rest of the year. We welcome Bianca and look forward to working with her in this role.
The Analytics and Technology team farewelled Business Analyst Systems Lead Ben Meyer at the start of June. After 9 years with the OTA, Ben is headed to an exciting new position at the Australian Signals Directorate. Ben will be greatly missed by the entire team.
As we farewell Ben, we’re very happy to welcome Zhiying Wen to the Analytics and Technology team, in the role of Data Scientist/Data Engineer. Zhiying joins us from over a decade working in the Defence sector.
The Communications and Engagement team welcomed Sarah Pickersgill at the start of June, in the role of Media and Public Relations Officer. Sarah is based in Melbourne, and joins us from Services Australia, where she worked for 12 years.
DonateLife ACT
 | DonateLife ACT is delighted to welcome Matthew Ensor to our team as a Trainee Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator (DSNC). With experience as a senior nurse in ICU at Canberra Hospital, Matt brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his new role. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep interest in organ and tissue donation and is eager to apply his skills and passion here. |
DonateLife NSW
 | Elissa Gillon joined DonateLife NSW several months ago in the role of Stakeholder and Social Marketing Lead. She has greatly strengthened our team with her bright eyed and bushy tailed demeanour and her finely honed communication skills. She comes with a wealth of experience, and an affinity for the role, having worked preciously as the marketing and communications manager at the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Social media, digital strategy, writing stories and creative production are the New Zealand born Elissa’s forte. She has a strong altruistic streak too, having worked as a volunteer for the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Welcome aboard, Elissa! |
 | Danielle Fisher, the former General Manager at the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, has taken the helm at BIENCO, the medical consortium manufacturing corneas from donated tissue. Since stepping into the role, Danielle has been highly successful, busily raising the profile of BIENCO, and generating interest from several major companies. She recently attended The BIO 2024 Conference in San Diego, which was attended by more than 20,000 professionals in the biotechnology and science industry. |
DonateLife NT
In late June, DonateLife NT welcomed Felicity Clyne to the Donation Specialist Nursing team in Darwin.
DonateLife NT are also pleased to announce the arrival of 2 beautiful babies. Clinical Nurse Manager Shan Cairnes and her partner Kel welcomed their baby boy Alby on 21 March. Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator Brooke Eppelstun and her partner Charlie welcomed their baby girl Charlotte (Lottie) on 3 June. Congratulations to Shan and Brooke!
DonateLife QLD
 | Donation Specialist Nurse (DSN) Hayley (pictured) from the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane has packed up her bags and relocated back home to Adelaide, South Australia. We will certainly miss her cheerful smiles, her compassion for donor families and her cheeky banter with colleagues. Hayley began her journey with DonateLife Queensland (DLQ) nearly two years ago. She will be working as a Registered Nurse at the Flinders Medical Centre Intensive and Critical Care Unit (ICCU). Hayley passes on the DLQ baton to Alicia. She brings with her an array of experience and knowledge in paramedic nursing and ICU, and her passion for organ and tissue donation. Alicia will be job sharing the DSN role with Freya. |
Over at the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), we would like to congratulate Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator (DSNC) Emma on her new baby. Emma is currently on maternity leave.
Claire joins the GCUH team and will be job sharing with Donation Specialist Nurse Coordinator Amanda. Claire has experience as an Assistant Nursing Unit Manager and Clinical Nurse.
We also welcomed the return of Donation Specialist Coordinator (DSC) Jade and Business Manager Shine who were both on maternity leave.
 | We bid a fond farewell to Dr Anthony Griffin (pictured), the Director of the Queensland Kidney Transplant Service. He is on leave until his retirement in 2025. Dr Griffin started at the PA Hospital in Brisbane in 1994. Did you know? The 5,000th kidney transplant was performed in 2021 by Dr Griffin, alongside Dr Simon Wood and Professor David Johnson. Dr Griffin is known by his colleagues as someone who cares deeply, delivers the best care and always focuses on his patients. |
Our DSNC Kirsty from Sunshine Coast University Hospital, and DSCs Nicole and Kate from PAH have all received Janette Hall Scholarships. They’ll attend the Transplant and Procurement Management (TPM) Course in Barcelona in November 2024. Congratulations and we wish them the very best!
DonateLife SA
 | Jennifer Uebergang started with DonateLife SA in May 2024, and shares the role of Communications and Community Engagement Officer with Camila. Jen graduated from Communications in 2002 and has worked in a myriad of local government and private sector in strategy, project management and communications roles. She lives in the Port Adelaide region with her husband and son. She loves travel, music, gardening and art. |
DonateLife TAS
No staff updates.
DonateLife VIC
The DonateLife Victoria team welcomed back Jayne Nixon at the start of July. Jayne has returned to the Monash Donation Specialist Nurse team.
We sadly farewelled our Nursing Services Manager, Toula Saltas on Friday 5 July. We thank Toula for her service and wish her all the best.
DonateLife WA
DonateLife WA said goodbye to Administration Officer Diane Kearney after a 14-month part-time contract at Hawthorn House. Diane bravely came out of retirement after previously retiring from DonateLife WA after many years of service.
Staff Profile: Rohit D'Costa, Victoria State Medical Director
Do you have news or feedback to share?
If you have an update to share, contact your state or territory communications rep or email the OTA communications team: communications@donatelife.gov.au.
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