'When I was a teenager, I lost a close family member who went on to become a donor. I remember very vaguely sitting through a donor interview in absolute shock at the time. I now feel honoured to be able to support families in the way that I was once supported'
- Sam Stone
As told by Sam Stones, DonateLife Victoria
‘Go be a hero,’ is what I overheard recently as I wheeled a donor into the operating room. It was a final parting word from the donor’s family member, and something I thought was an incredibly brave sentiment in the midst of something so tragic.
I carry many stories of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit with me every day as a Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator in Melbourne. I know from personal experience just how valuable a gift of donation really is.
Every work day is incredibly varied. Some days I’m based in hospitals across Victoria, providing education sessions to staff or speaking directly to families about organ donation. On other days, I might be in an operating theatre.
What I know for certain is the importance of creating a meaningful experience for donor families as they experience overwhelming loss. I was in that exact position as a teenager, when I lost a close family member who went on to become a donor.
I remember very vaguely sitting through a donor interview in absolute shock at the time. I now feel honoured to be able to support families in the way that I was once supported.
In more recent years, I also spent time with a close, terminally ill friend who was able to give first-person consent to donate his eye tissue. I remember sitting and talking with him outside the hospital where he had been admitted for end-of-life care. I watched him perk up as he spoke about his hopes for helping two people through his corneal donation. It was one of the last independent decisions he got to make, and it provided him with a lot of comfort and autonomy in his last few days.
I know firsthand that organ donation can change multiple lives. But I also know how rare this gift really is, and that’s why I want to share my story.
If donation is something that you would consider, take the time to register. It's very quick on the Express Plus Medicare app. After this, the most important thing to do is talk to your family and tell them about your decision. It's incredibly rare to be able to become a donor and it can help a lot of people by transforming their lives.
My friend went on to become a corneal donor after his death. I’m still close with his wife, who has shared with me the beautiful letters she receives from her late husband’s corneal transplant recipient. I think it’s such an incredible legacy for him to leave behind, especially for his little girl, who is about to turn one this year.
My job is a constant reminder of the power of compassion and the immeasurable impact we can have on each other's lives. I would like to think that those I’ve lost are proud of me for being able to continue helping others through donation.
Inspired by Sam's story?
