Aaron became an organ donor

Aaron, or Azza as he was known to his friends, loved to dance, ride motorbikes and play football. He was a loyal friend, known for his generous spirit and sense of humour.  

‘When he was young, he would dance around the living room to Michael Jackson,’ said Aaron’s mum Michele.  

‘He was the kind of person who always saw the best in people. His friends were a priority for him – he was loving and generous, never judging anybody.’ 

‘I’m grateful that we told Aaron often how proud we were of him, and that we loved him very much.’ 

Tragically, at just 20 years old, Aaron was in a serious car accident.  

‘We got a phone call in the middle of the night from one of his friends telling us there was an accident,’ Michele said.  

'Two police officers came to our door and let us know he was in a critical condition and being flown to Hobart.’ 

‘The drive to Hobart from our home felt like such a long way - every second we were agonising over what we’d find when we got there and how we could make the house liveable with his injuries.’ 

Sadly, when Aaron’s family arrived at the hospital, they were told he had a major brain injury. The following day it became clear that he would not survive his injuries.  

‘Aaron’s medical team was so respectful. They talked to us about all the tests they were doing and why,’ Michele said.  

‘The doctors explained what brain death was and that Aaron was breathing through a machine. They gave us time to process this and then let us know Aaron may be able to be an organ donor.’ 

Michele knew Aaron wanted to be an organ donor because they’d discussed it as a family only a few months before he died. He was also registered as an organ and tissue donor.  

‘We sat around the dinner table after a news program and talked about organ donation and what we’d all want at the end of our lives,’ Michele said.  

‘Aaron was very unequivocal about his decision to be an organ donor. We didn’t know it at the time, but it turned out to be a very important conversation in our lives.’ 

Aaron’s family agreed to donation and Aaron saved the lives of 4 people who desperately needed a transplant.  

‘We’ve been so fortunate to receive letters from all recipients, which we read together as a family,’ Michele said.  

‘It gives us comfort to know their lives have been changed for the better.’