Thank You Day

- Annette

Thank You Day is far more than words can express. It fills me with profound pride and gratitude to stand alongside donors and their families—individuals whose courage, selflessness, and kindness shine through their life-giving decision to donate. It is an extraordinary honor to work hand in hand with the dedicated healthcare professionals and teams whose unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts make the gift of donation possible.

Read more less

- Delwyn

Reading these stories made me cry. There is so much love here. Thank you to everyone who makes this difficult choice so that people like me can live, and live properly. Words fail. What a wonderful community we have in New Zealand.

Read more less

- Paul

I wouldn't be alive without the generosity of an organ donor. Thank you now and thanks again for every day I have left.

Read more less

- Sarah

The day my brother died suddenly was the worst of my life. And it wasn't til later that evening that it occurred to us that we wanted to donate his organs, and frantically rang around trying to let people know what we wanted to do. In the end we were able to donate parts of him to I think 11 people. Knowing that those people walking around and that our precious brother could make a difference in their lives is very comforting. That their lives could be made better through such tragedy.

Read more less

- Mikayla

I heard Stuart on the radio this morning, wanted to tautoko his message. Organ donation saved my life, please consider registering as a donor if you can, and talk to your family about your wishes. You could save someone else's life. Thank you to everyone who does. Thank You Day is for you!

Read more less

- Maria O'Brien

My husband has received two wonderful gifts of life through organ donation. A too young 21 year old and my husband’s brother. I want to include the incredible loss our 1st donor’s family suffered while passing life onto others. My husband’s brother’s journey through donation and their family who supported him along the way. To our close friend who initiated the government’s bill to financially support donors.
Without these people in our lives my husband and father to our children we wouldn’t have had Steve in our lives as long as we did. Sadly Steve passed away last year. But never did Steve let all he suffered define him . He always said he was very blessed with life!
We love and admire Steve’s incredible strength and love those who gave Steve the joy of life

Read more less

- Anna Maharaj

Thank You Day 2025 is a day that resonates deeply with me. As a very grateful kidney transplant recipient there isn't a single day, I don't think about the selfless decision my donor made to donate their organs.

I choose to live a full live with an attitude of gratitude for the gift of life organ donation has given me. I will never forget the call received almost 24 years ago telling me there was a donor kidney available. Unwavering gratitude for organ donors, their whanau and the incredible medical teams who champion organ donation and work hard to keep recipients going. A special mention, my transplant Coordinator Angela Jackson has been on my journey from almost the beginning and for that I am forever thankful.

Organ transplants are not a cure; however, they're the best form of treatment for end stage disease.

Life is precious x.

Read more less

- Sian

My dad was never sure about organ donation, but then a stranger saved his life by choosing to donate. When he eventually died, he donated tissues from his eyes to pass on the gift that he was given. It's truly the most special gift anyone can give. Stay safe these holidays.

Read more less

- Patsy

18 months ago I donated my kidney to my sister. 2 months recovering together post-transplant, we had a great time!
It has saved her life & given her a new lease on life.
I would recommend to everyone to consider it if your situation allows it.
A truly meaningful thing to do.

Read more less

- Anonymous

Thank you to our beautiful donor. You gave us 10 extra years with Mum. She was able to watch her grandchildren grow up. She passed away this year. Our whanau is forever grateful to our donor and their family as well as the amazing team at hearty towers

Read more less

- Anonymous

❤️‍

Read more less

- Kat

I can't thank the donor directly but I can thank their family. Thank you for making that painful choice that gave my son the kind of life he couldn't have had without you.

Read more less

- Josie Spillane

My Lizzie, received the ultimate gift, almost 12 years ago, a beautiful healthy set of lungs from her donor angel. My thank you is to her family, who in the depth of their grief, choose to save us from ours. We've had over a decade of memories, hugs, birthdays, xmas's and moments that sit with us always, because of their selflessness in the depth of their loss. There's not a moment that we take for granted, nor a moment that is not cloaked in love by the memory of her amazing donor. x

Read more less

- Matt

I received a donated heart valve as a baby. I couldn't say thank you at the time but two grieving parents saved my life that day. Words don't suffice, but thank you.

Read more less

- Anonymous

Being a mother of a baby who was in dire need of a new liver, there are not enough words of gratitude and deep appreciation for every single person involved in the incredibly complex process that makes organ donation happen in NZ.

At the very top of the list is the whānau of my daughter's organ donor to whom 'thank you' doesn't seem to even scratch the surface of how grateful we are to you, especially knowing you made the organ donation decision when navigating what can only be a hugely distressing time. We hope that out there somewhere, you know that your selflessness has given a little girl a whole new lease on life.

Then to the multitude of doctors, nurses, specialists, donor co-ordinators, and every one involved in nailing their niche role to ensure a successful liver transplant happen into a tiny little baby - we are immensely thankful for everything you did and do. We are in awe of your extremely high standard of care and talent in executing the amazingness that is modern medicine.

Read more less

- Susan

I'm actually not a recipient, I am a non-directed live organ donor having donated my left kidney this year as part of the ANZKX.
My decision to donate had been something I had been thinking about for a few years, more so after having people close to me pass away in circumstances that meant they weren't able to be donors. I knew that death is not something we can control, and regardless of choosing to be a donor on our Drivers licence the circumstances around our death may mean that harvesting organs is not possible.
When I looked at the past years statistics for donors (70 deceased donors out of 37,722 registered deaths in NZ, and 74 living donors) I knew I had to become a live donor and have the knowledge that regardless of my future death I could be satisfied knowing that at least one of my organs was able to save someone's life. I was advised my donation started a chain with three kidney recipients, so this was a beautiful feeling to know.
My thanks goes to the ODNZ team that work alongside the live donors and recipients to make the process an easy decision to make.

Read more less

- Kailagh

In a time of earth-shattering grief and shock, our decision to donate my brother's organs provided us with one of the only glimmers of light in a time of great suffering.

The humanity and kindness shown by the entire team of doctors and nurses, who cloaked us in aroha and shared in our sorrow, while honouring my brother's life and his gift, will never be forgotten. The way they held a light for us and gave us hope as we navigated the cruelty that my brother's death thrust into our world reminded us that, in a world where there can be so much hurt, there can also be indescribable beauty.

We wish for nothing more than a long lifetime of health and happiness for the recipients and their whānau.

Read more less

- Darryn C

Watching a loved one struggling to do simple chores on a daily basis is incredibly hard.

Watching them get wheeled into an extremely High risk surgery is Terrifying.

However- Witnessing the Result. - the small differences. the Huge differences, the LIFE CHANGING Differences. it's the most Amazing Gift I have Ever been a part of receiving. it hasn't only changed My Wife's life. its changed our Entire families Lives.

I am Forever Thankful for the Donor, and Their Family, for the real difference that Choice Made. and it wouldn't have been an easy Choice to make. on the Hardest day of Their Lives. the Decision to turn such a huge loss. into a Lifesaving Gift.

Read more less

- Alison

A donor saved my life. I can't thank them in person so I will thank them here. Thank you. I hope your loved ones find comfort in knowing you saved someone's life.

Read more less

- Stephanie

<3 <3 <3 Thank You!

Read more less

- Shan

When my brother-in-law passed away my sister made the choice to donate his organs. We were told later they had given life-saving opportunities to four different people, something that our family cherished and took comfort in. A few years later when my son became ill and needed a kidney, another family in that same position as my sister made the same choice she did, a life-saving choice for my boy. We feel connected to a community now of donors and recipients, it's a very special feeling. Thank you to those kind people who make it possible.

Read more less

- Bec Smyth

Thank you to all the hero donors out there

Read more less

- Rhemy Jannink

Message to the family of my Donor

Words will never be enough to express the depth of my gratitude for the gift your loved one has given me. You didn't just donate a kidney; through your selfless act, I have been granted a second chance at life, a future filled with hope, and the ability to dream again. I woke up each day with renewed strength and a heart full of appreciation.

Please know that your family’s decision has not only saved my life but has also touched the hearts of everyone around me. I am forever thankful, and I hold you all in my thoughts with deep respect and compassion.


To the Team

My gratitude and deep appreciation for the Staff, Nurses and Doctors for the extraordinary care and support you provided throughout my journey - from the challenges of dialysis to the life changing moment of my kidney transplant and up to the present.

With heartfelt appreciation

Rhemy

Read more less

- Anonymous

Forever grateful for the extra 16 months of love, fun and memories we were blessed to have. Would not have had this without the generosity of our precious donor. Eternally Grateful xo

Read more less

- Sandra

Thank you for give our daughter a fighting chance to stay with us longer. Your gift gave us precious time with our beautiful and courageous girl.

Read more less

- Karen A

Organ donation is the most incredible gift of life. Thank you so much to everyone involved in organ donation, especially the donor’s & their whanau

Read more less

- Andrea

Thank you for making a life changing decision on one of the worst days of your life. I will forever be indebted to your family. The donation transformed my life.

Read more less

- Teresa Burt

10 years ago I got the gift of life. I cannot thank my donor and their family enough. My life and the life of my family have changed forever. Grateful doesn't cut it. Please consider donation, #donate life.

Read more less

- Kelsey ❤️

Thank you to my Donor, you have changed my life in many ways. I know i will never be able to repay you for your gift but i am taking special care of your gift making the most of every day im on this earth. Thank you to your family as well for allowing this to happen. I will forever be in your debt. Thank you to all the amazing team of doctors, nurses, physio etc on the liver tranplant team, i couldnt have asked for better care

Read more less

- Amy

"Thank you" seems so small for such a generous and huge gesture of organ donation, yet it encapsulates it so well too. 7yrs on with your loved ones lungs. 7 years of extra time to give back to others, care and love for my husband, family and friends. Thank you for all involved in organ donation, families who grieve, yet are so gracious to say "yes" and to all the medical and admin staff involved. Always grateful for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Read more less

- Aimee Carruthers

Thank you so much to my beautiful donor and their family. Your decision in your time of grief has given me more time with my family. I can breathe again. ❤️ And to the wonderful nurses, Drs, specialists, physio’s and support team, you’re all amazing!!

Read more less

- Owen

Organ donation saved my wifes life. Because of this amazing generosity I have extra time with her, a blessing some do not get. To all the families who have donated, thank you. Your gift is appreciated more than you will know.

Read more less

- Carol

Thank you to my donor, their family and all the medical and support staff who gave me the precious gift of a new heart.
Eternally grateful ❤️

Read more less

- Jess

To my guardian angel.

Thank you.

I have angel wings tattooed on my arm to remind me to be grateful every day.

Read more less

- Raf

I am eternally grateful for the incredible gift of life I received from a donated heart valve. To my donor, their family who made the difficult call, and the surgical team who performed my operation: thank you for your compassion, skill and support. You gave me a second chance, and I will cherish it every day.

Read more less

- Nicole

Thank you to the donors, donor families and medical angels who have given so many of us the chance of more tomorrows. Forever grateful ❤️

Read more less

- Anonymous

A donated kidney gave me a whole new lease on life. I'm two years post-transplant and feeling better than I ever thought I could. Will always be thankful.

Read more less

- Nadine

Without the generosity of my donor, I wouldn't be here today. I think about them every day and the family who made the difficult choice that saved my life. Thank you.

Read more less

- Anonymous

With a selfless gift from a complete stranger, my family gets to create memories with my eldest son, a big brother to his two sisters that will last a life time. We were given life from complete strangers instead of facing a death sentence. Words will never be enough to express the absolute gratitude and appreciation for the family that gift has given us in their saddest moments. The day we recieved that call, I cried ....tears of joy and hope ....and tears of sadness for another family.

Read more less