FAMILY TALK THAT CAN SAVE LIVES

REBECCA Free’s mother’s sudden death caused extreme grief for her family, who made a huge decision within hours of the tragedy that would eventually save lives.

Ms Free said her mum Maureen Absolom’s brain aneurysm aged 65 in 2010 was devastating enough without having to decide whether or not to donate her organs.

“We knew mum was the most beautiful, generous woman and we knew if anyone was going to agree to organ donation it would have been her,” she said.

Ms Free didn’t fully appreciate the gesture until she met other organ recipients. She was later touched to hear from two of the five people who had received organs from her mum.

“A young mum who received the kidney had a little child and she was nearing the end of her life,” Ms Free said.

Karen Garner-Hamilton, who is on the Donor Families Committee with Ms Free, gave her kidney to her husband David Hamilton in 2013.

“He was having dialysis four times a week, we wanted to travel together but he couldn’t,” Ms Garner-Hamilton said.

“We knew in the long-term there would be quite a wait for a deceased donor kidney.”

Rebecca and Karen hoped their stories of transforming others’ lives would inspire people to discuss their donation wishes with their families and register to become donors.

They will participate in the second annual Donor Heroes Night to remember the generous living and deceased donors.

To get involved, ignite a porch light or candle outside your home at 6pm on May 18, and share photos on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Visit: donorfamiliesaustralia.org/events