Susan became an eye donor

Alex’s mum, Susan, was a constant source of inspiration. 

Susan was born in England and moved to Australia as a child. She built a new life here, working in boarding schools across Australia and New Zealand, and raising her daughter Alex on her own. 

Although she lived far from her family in England, Susan stayed closely connected to her brothers and their families around the world. 

Alex knows firsthand the life-changing impact of organ and tissue donation. In 2022, she donated a kidney to her son, Hamish. Susan and Alex often spoke about organ and tissue donation. Susan was a strong supporter, but they never imagined she would one day be eligible. 

In 2024, Susan died from end-stage respiratory failure at 80 years old. Despite her age, she was still able to donate her eye tissue.  

‘Mum would have been thrilled to know she helped others through her donation,’ Alex said. ‘She was strong-willed, passionate and kind.’ 

Alex hopes her mum’s recipients share her adventurous spirit. 

‘She loved to travel and explore the world. She passed that love of travel on to me.’ 

Hamish is also making the most of life following Alex’s generous gift – travelling the world for work, carrying forward the same love of exploration shared by his mum and grandmother.