Advice about organ and tissue donation

DonateLife Tasmania staff are available to offer advice and answer any questions you may have about organ and tissue donation. You can contact our friendly staff by email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or by telephone: (03) 6270 2209.

Community education

DonateLife Tasmania has a number of highly qualified staff members who are able on request to provide education sessions about organ and tissue donation to the healthcare sector and the public including schools, private business and organisations. Presentations cover a wide range of topics relating to organ and tissue donation.

This service is provided free of charge.  If you have any questions or would like a member of our team to come and speak to your community or at your event, please email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or by telephone: (03) 6270 2209.

Donor family support for organ and tissue donor families

Donor family support is available to organ and tissue donor families at the time of donation or at any time after the death of the donor. It is a free service offered by a qualified staff with extensive background in organ and tissue donation.

Reputable accredited professional bereavement counsellors are available to support donor families who wish to use this service to access counselling sessions funded by DonateLife in Tasmania through our Donor Family Support Coordinator.

Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance

Each year a Thanksgiving Service is held in May to acknowledge the people who generously donated as well as those who have benefited from receiving transplants. This is facilitated by both Kidney Health Australia - Tasmania and DonateLife in Tasmania.

Contact between donor families and recipients

Donor families and transplant recipients can write anonymous letters to each other through the DonateLife Donor Family Support Coordinator or their transplant units. This process remains anonymous by law.

The Donor Family Support Coordinator can discuss guidelines on writing for both donor families and recipients.

Media contact

Media enquiries can be made to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or to (03) 6270 2209 and we would be happy to answer any queries you may have.

Organ and Tissue Donation

Organ donation is a medical process where specific organs are removed from the body of a deceased donor and transplanted into a recipient in order to save or improve a life.  It is a profoundly generous act on the part of an individual and family, which can transform the lives of people on the transplant waiting list.

In Tasmania, the organs that can be donated are

• Heart
• Liver
• Lungs
• Kidneys
• Pancreas

Tissue donation is a medical process where specific tissues are removed from the body of a deceased donor and transplanted into someone else in order to improve the quality of life of a recipient. It is a profoundly generous act on the part of an individual or family, which can transform the lives of people on the transplant waiting list.

In Tasmania, the tissues that can be donated are:

• Cornea (the clear film on the front of the eye)
• Bones
• Heart Valves

Anyone has the potential to be an organ and tissue donor. You shouldn't assume that you aren't healthy enough or that you are too old. Factors considered when determining suitability include:

• the circumstances of how, where and when a person dies
• past medical history
• age is considered, but it is more important to assess how the organs are functioning

For more information on organ and tissue donation contact DonateLife Tasmania on (03) 6270 2209 or by email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it