Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria

04/08/2026

30/07/2026

Here’s beautiful Willow again, and today we wanted to reveal the vast amount of people whose lives have been impacted by her eye and tissue donations. Willow donated cornea, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves to the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria after her death in 2021.

Thanks to Willow and mum Tara’s generosity, Willow's eye and tissue donations have helped 49 people.

A truly remarkable outcome.

Here’s how Willow has helped these 49 recipients:

➡️ Both corneas were successfully transplanted to two recipients who are now doing very well. Willow's donation would allow these recipients to see again.
➡️ Donated skin tissue was transplanted to 5 different recipients suffering from severe burns, and this would have dramatically helped them in the healing and recovery process
➡️ Both Willows heart valves were transplanted to 2 children, which would have been life saving for them.
➡️ Willow has helped an incredible 32 recipients with her bone donation. These donations can restore mobility, reduce pain, and help someone to walk, heal and return to normal function.
➡️ Willow also donated tendons which helped 8 recipients with reconstructive surgeries due to sports injuries.

Tara is Willow’s mum and has kindly agreed to share Willow’s story in the hope that it will help others in considering becoming a tissue donor.

We hope that sharing the impact of Willow’s donation has brought Tara and her family some comfort, knowing that we are all very proud of and grateful to Willow and her generosity.

This Week, please take a moment to register as an organ and tissue donor, and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could one day help save or transform someone's life, just as Willow's generous gift has done.

Join the register today ➡️: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today
DonateLife

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Remember, help is available.

If you or anyone you know needs support for suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis: Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and su***de prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.

If you or anyone you know needs support with depression or anxiety: Beyond Blue is available on 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online.

29/07/2026

This is the beautiful Willow, who very kindly donated cornea, skin, bone, tendons and heart valves to The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria in February 2021, after tragically taking her own life shortly after her 21st birthday.

Willow had dreams of being a forensic nurse, but mental health problems led to her not being able to complete her nursing diploma. She was a talented artist, musician and had a passion for unusual animals - which included her very own collection of stuffed sloths.

Tara is Willow’s mum and has kindly agreed to share Willow’s story in the hope that it will help others, not only through personal struggles but also in considering becoming a tissue donor.

“Willow had started to donate blood as soon as she turned 18. I grew up believing organs and tissue should be donated after death – if we don’t need them anymore then someone else should have them. We discussed what she wanted after death a number of times, so when I was asked about donation, it was easy to say yes,” Tara recalls.

“Whilst I’m so glad that so many people’s lives were improved by what Willow donated, my heart still hurts that my beautiful Willow is no longer with us. Thank you so much for listening to our story.”

Willow's tissue donations have helped a vast amount of people and tomorrow we will share just how many people were given another chance at life thanks to Willow and Tara’s generosity.

We hope that Willow’s story has brought Tara and her family some comfort, knowing that we are all very proud of and grateful to Willow.

This , please take a moment to register as an organ and tissue donor, and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could change someone's life tomorrow. Just like Willow's did.

Join the register today: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

28/07/2026

👁️This Week, we’re shining a light on the gift of sight, and the incredible teamwork involved in corneal transplantations across Victoria.

Many people know about organ donation, but fewer people realise that you can also donate your corneas after death. A corneal transplant can be life-changing for someone living with corneal disease, injury or vision loss.

In Victoria, there is a dedicated network working together in this life-changing journey - from donor families who make an extraordinary decision in difficult times, the nurses who support them, the network involved in the donation and retrieval process, and the specialist teams in hospitals who perform these delicate procedures.

The Lions Eye Donation Service (LEDS) coordinates eye donation, retrieves, and evaluates donated eye tissue. They receive referrals for eye donation from many sources, including DonateLife VIC, The Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria, hospital staff, funeral directors, and families.

And, when every moment matters, transport is critical. Blood Bikes Victoria - a group of volunteer motorcyclists - helps support the safe and timely movement of donated corneas!

Our photo is from a morning tea in June when all organisations had the chance to come together to celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Blood Bikes Australia partnership with LEDS. We're proud to be part of this incredible donation network

This DonateLife Week, we encourage everyone to learn more about eye and tissue donation and consider registering as a donor.

Join the Register today - https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

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LEDS is a joint venture between Centre for Eye Research Australia and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

27/07/2026

It’s DonateLife Week 2026 and we're celebrating the incredible generosity of tissue donors and the dedicated team at the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria (DTBV), whose work changes lives every day.

Dressed in full sterile coveralls, our CEO Lisa Lynch recently visited the DTBV for a behind-the-scenes tour with Acting Head of DTBV Kellie Hamilton and Operations Manager Amila Peiris.

Lisa gained a first-hand appreciation of the expertise, precision and care that underpin every donation. The tour included seeing our Tissue experts Katy Sadler, Ben Stewart, Celeste Gusman and Bonita Lau in action.

"Seeing the dedication of the DTBV team and the care taken at every stage of the donation process was incredibly moving,” said Lisa. "Behind every tissue graft is an act of generosity that gives hope, healing and a better quality of life to someone else. During DonateLife Week, I encourage everyone to register as an organ and tissue donor and, just as importantly, let your family know your decision."

This DonateLife Week, please take a moment to register and start the conversation with your loved ones. Your decision today could change someone's life tomorrow.

Join the register today: https://www.donatelife.gov.au/register-donor-today

26/07/2026

It's DonateLife Week, and the Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - VIFM encourage all Australians to register as organ and tissue donors and be the reason someone else gets a second chance at life.

Please take a moment to register and start the conversation with your loved ones, or share posts from ourselves, the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority or DonateLife. Your decision today could change someone's life tomorrow.

24/07/2026

Help us get more Aussies registered as organ and tissue donors ❤️

DonateLife Week starts on Sunday and we’re ready to get all of Australia talking about organ and tissue donation 🙌

DonateLife Week starts on Sunday and we’re ready to get all of Australia talking about organ and tissue donation 🙌

Consider this your sign to register as an organ and tissue donor if you haven’t already – you could save up to 7 lives one day!

Head to our supporter hub for more information about how to get involved this DonateLife Week: www.donatelife.gov.au/donatelifeweek

Let’s get more Aussies registered as organ and tissue donors ❤️

23/07/2026

18/05/2026

This Saturday 23rd May at 2pm is Leaf Day. On Leaf Day, we honour the generosity of our tissue donors and their families.

Leaf Day is centred around our Tree of Life. At the beginning of winter the Tree of Life has no foliage, but as the seasons pass leaves bearing the first name of each donor are attached. By autumn the tree is full of donor leaves reflecting the vast contribution donors and their families have made through the precious gift of tissue donation. If you would like to attend our Leaf Day service this weekend, please get in touch with us on (03) 9684 4706.