I was overwhelmed and humbled and I needed to say thank you (to the donor’s family) and let them know the result of their decision, for my son and our family.

After 12 months of virtually no heartbeat, and all the years before that of taking it for granted, the first thing I felt when I woke up after the operation was the thump, thump, thump of the heart. It’s really weird, and I’m still always aware of it.

I had watched another close friend die from cancer and there had been nothing I could do about it, but this time was different. I could help Tony.

Many years ago I’d put on my licence that I would be an organ donor, basically I just thought it was the morally right thing to do. I never gave any thought to being a recipient.

Through her donation, Julie was able to do something that no-one else could do. It was her gift.

I was just so relieved and happy that I had got the opportunity… It changes your life completely.

I am only in my 20s, so I have plenty of life to live and a lot I want to do! I owe it to the donor and their family, to my family … and to myself – to really make the most of life.

It’s rare to receive tissue from such young donors; that’s why Dane’s gifts are extra special.

We had discussed organ donation as a family and knew Michael wanted to be an organ donor. Michael’s generous and giving spirit gave life to six more Australians