8 hours Ago By Annika Rhoades
In early 2024, Brian Mansell knew something was wrong with his partner when her headache became so extreme she asked him to call an ambulance. or signup to continue reading Linda had always insisted she would rather have crawled to hospital than call emergency services, Mr Mansell said, so he knew something was amiss - but it didn't make what was to follow any less devastating. "If she could know about what's happened, she'd be extremely happy that what she's left behind saved four people," Mr Mansell said.
Linda had been a registered organ donor, but Mr Mansell said it was not something they had ever discussed. "Linda was a very private person, so she wouldn't tell me anything that I didn't need to know about," he said. "It does help me a little bit now to know that part of Linda's somewhere, so she's still here, in a way.
" Linda's family - her three adult children and her partner, Mr Mansell - was one of 25 Tasmanian families who said yes to organ donation in 2024 which saved the lives of 68 other Australians. The selflessness of Tasmanian families means the state is leading the country with organ and tissue donation outcomes from 2024. After she was admitted to the Launceston General Hospital, brain scans showed that Linda, 65, had experienced a catastrophic aneurysm and it was unlikely she would recover.
Mr Mansell was told Linda could undergo an operation in Hobart that she may not survive, and if she did, it was probable she would be in a vegetative state. A fiercely independent person, anyone who knew Linda knew she wouldn't have wanted that for herself. Linda's children were contacted and immediately made their way to their mother's side.
After coming to terms with the news that she wouldn't survive, Mr Mansell and her children were informed that Linda was a registered organ donor and were asked to consider donating. DonateLife Tasmania executive officer Davin Hibberd said that less than two per cent of people who die in hospital end up meeting donation criteria, so it was rare for Linda to be eligible for it. Mr Mansell said despite their grief, Linda's children were quick to honour her wishes and provide consent for the donation of her organs.
"I was a bit shocked and confronted, but I wouldn't stop anyone's wishes because it's not about me, it's got to be about Linda," he said. "When the next day came, I thought, 'That's exactly what she would do. It's no surprise to me that Linda would want to help someone, to save someone'.
" Mr Hibberd said registering to become an organ donor was a simple process, but it was just as important to talk to your family about it. Data has shown that eight out of 10 families say yes to organ donation if their family member is registered. This drops to six out of 10 if they have spoken about it but aren't registered, and four out of 10 if the family doesn't know the wishes of their loved one and they weren't registered.
"Tasmania has 49 per cent of the population over 16 that are already on the donor register, which is the second highest rate in the country," Mr Hibberd said. Mr Hibberd said the role of DonateLife staff played a fundamental part in informing families about the donation process. "It's very clinically complex, but it's also a very emotionally challenging role as well," Mr Hibberd said.
"We're supporting people that are experiencing the worst grief and loss they're probably going to experience, because things quite often happen so suddenly and unexpectedly and catastrophically." Mr Mansell said the donation specialist nurse, Grace, was incredibly supportive and professional when breaking the news to himself and Linda's family and through the surgery as well, where her lungs, liver and kidneys were donated. "The day before she had to have her organs taken out, Grace came to me and said, 'Would you like to provide some music for the surgery?' I thought that was wonderful, because it became a little bit more than something clinical - it was an event that was happening and an event that Linda wanted to happen.
" Mr Hibberd reiterated that it was a privilege for the DonateLife team to be able to support families like Mr Mansell's. "Linda has left this incredible legacy, which means four people have been able to continue to live full and productive lives," Mr Hibberd said. "It's those decisions that are the foundations of hope for people waiting for a transplant.
" Data from the Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report revealed that 2024 was the busiest clinical year on record for DonateLife Tasmania, which resulted in the highest ever state and national rate of 43.5 donors per million people. There are 1800 Australians on the waitlist for an organ transplant and a further 14,000 people who are on kidney dialysis, according to the report.
Mr Mansell and Linda got together two years after the death of his first wife, but they had known each other prior as their children attended school together. Mr Mansell described her as a selfless, highly intelligent person who took pride in keeping herself fit and healthy. "She knew so much that you couldn't win an argument with her.
But I can say now, over 12 years we had one disagreement," he said. While Mr Mansell isn't religious, he has become spiritual since Linda's death and at nearly 70, he doesn't feel the need for another relationship in his life. "I've been very fortunate in my life to have two great relationships," he said.
"You don't need to go looking for something you've already had. I was honoured and blessed to have 12 years with her." Journalist at The Examiner, Launceston, covering health, court and community.
Contact me at [email protected].
au Journalist at The Examiner, Launceston, covering health, court and community. Contact me at annika.rhoades@austcommunitymedia.
com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.
WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.
WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep.
Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper.
Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement.
