Last year, 10 ACT families donated organs and tissue to save and improve the lives of 29 people.

Tonight, Canberrans can ‘leave a light on’ from 6pm – lighting a candle or leaving on a porch light – to mark the fourth annual National Donor Heroes’ Night in support of organ and tissue donation.

“Donor Heroes’ Night is an opportunity to honour and thank those who have given the ultimate gift of organ and tissue donation,” Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for Human Rights, said. “The entire community can show their support and acknowledge the contribution thousands of organ and tissue donors have made to the lives of recipients.”

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said organ and tissue donation transforms and saves many lives every year.

“Tonight is also an opportunity to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. We know many people in Canberra support organ donation, but have not had the conversation with family and friends about their wishes, or officially registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

“If you would want your family to agree to donation when faced with that difficult decision, it’s important to register and to let them know.”

The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia in which families can acknowledge a loved one’s donation in the death register and on the donor’s death certificate, Ms Cheyne said.

• Organ donation remembrance easier in the ACT (24 November 2022)

Canberrans are encouraged to post their photo of their light on to the Donor Families Australia Facebook page or by tagging @DonorFamiliesAustralia across their social media channels. To learn more about and participate in the National Donor Heroes’ Night, click here.

Find out more about organ and tissue donation and how to register as a donor at www.donatelife.gov.au.