General News
13 March, 2026
One of life’s greatest gifts
DONNA Lee-Taylor knows only too well the importance of organ donation and is a strong advocate for the Donate Life program.
The Koroit nurse and mum of two boys last year donated a kidney and said her decision was one that had made a profound impact not only on her life but those around her.
When a work colleague at South West Healthcare, Stacey, quietly mentioned that she was having “a tough time,” that her son was ill, on dialysis and needed a kidney transplant Donna set about “doing some research.”
“When you’re a mum all you want to do is help your children when they become ill,” she said.
“But this was something Stacey couldn’t fix and when you’re a mum and there’s something like this that can’t be fixed, it destroys you. Her family had exhausted all options so I started researching the Life Donor program, with the intention of donating one of my kidneys for her son.”
And so began almost two years of research, blood tests, MRIs, physicals, ECG and cardiac tests, psychology testing and much more.
According to Donna, it also gave her the added incentive she needed to get fitter and healthier.
She began a weight loss journey that saw her shed an incredible 30 kilograms.
“It certainly wasn’t easy and there was far more to it (the process required to ensure she was a suitable donor) than I originally anticipated but I would do it again in a heartbeat,” she said.
“I was in regular contact with Monita Benedict, the renal transplant coordinator at The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and she was just wonderful.”
When Donna finally did tell Stacey her plans, the bond the two work colleagues shared grew even deeper.
“We had worked together for quite some time and the decision (to donate) was a no-brainer for me. If you can help another you should.
“I certainly did a lot of research into the live donor process and was well educated on the pros and cons for the donor – but all that outweighed what it meant for the recipient; to live a healthier life, away from dialysis.”
From her initial thoughts, through testing and her decision to go ahead once medically approved, Donna was well supported by her husband and her children.
“They were naturally concerned about my health, and I made sure my boys were also healthy and that this wouldn’t affect them down the track because we share the same blood type and I could also have been a possible donor for them if ever needed,” she said.
“My wonderful friend Jennifer, who was a renal nurse years ago, was also by my side through it all.
“She lives in Melbourne and came to every appointment with me at The Royal Melbourne and was able to ask the questions I sometimes forgot; I’m very grateful for her, she’s a wonderful support.”
Donna and Stacey’s son entered into a cross-match arrangement.
This meant that Donna’s kidney was allocated to another patient who was better suited to receive the transport, which then released a matched kidney to Stacey’s son.
“After more than three years on dialysis, Stacey’s son received a kidney late last year and a month later I donated mine.
“Some people asked why I was still keen to donate my kidney when Stacey’s son had already received one and was doing so well, but there was no way I was backing out; I was committed to it and I knew someone needed that organ for a better quality of life,” Donna said.
“Stacey’s son is now a very proud and very healthy husband and father of two, leading a normal life and enjoying the simple things – such as being able to drink as many cups of tea as he likes whereas before, on dialysis, he was restricted to just 700ml a day.
“It’s the simple things in life that we often take for granted that people facing dialysis and waiting possible organ donation yearn for – how can we not help?”
Donna is now on a campaign to encourage as many people as possible to consider kidney donation, not just after death but prior.
“Living kidney donation is one of the greatest gifts we can give and we need more people to at least consider it,” she said.
“Donors are very well supported through the entire process and it’s just so rewarding.
“Yes it is quite a lengthy process, yes it does involve surgery which always carries some risks, and yes there is a recovery process but it’s such a selfless, rewarding thing to do.”
Donna and Stacey set up an information table in the foyer of South West Healthcare’s Warrnambool Hospital earlier this year to provide information to the community about the Life Donor program and how people can become involved.
“We spoke to more than 70 people that day, 46 were already registered donors and 16 people signed up to become organ donors which was wonderful,” Donna said.
“I strongly encourage everyone to discuss this with their family and friends, and to search DonateLife for more detailed information.”
Renal transplant coordinator Monita Benedict can also be contacted at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.
