Almost 2,000 Australians are seriously ill on the organ transplant waitlist, as DonateLife Week seeks 100,000 more people to register as organ donors.
A few short years ago, John Hammond was lying in a Brisbane Hospital saying a tearful goodbye to his loved ones.John Hammond is one of 1,750 Australians "clinging to life" on the organ transplant waiting listOne organ can save up to seven lives and help many more through eye and tissue donationAfter a visit from the bedside priest and completion of end-of-life paperwork, the then 49-year-old, from Gindie in central Queensland, was expecting to farewell his wife and son forever.
It is rare that someone needs an organ donor twice in their lifetime and Mr Hammond is holding on to hope he'll be given a third chance at life. Belinda Gardiner donated her organs, saving the lives of five people and giving sight to another two."But the offshoot is the legacy that she left behind ... being able to save some lives, and that's just a reflection of her."
A six-year-old boy received part of Belinda's liver, and he has written to the family every year on the anniversary of Belinda's death. "It takes a couple of minutes to register … you just never know what impact that decision could have," he said. "They live their best life every day for themselves and the second chance that they've got, but also for their donor.
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