Ballina residents are among the state’s most generous when it comes to organ donation, with the shire recording the third-highest organ donor registration rate in NSW.

Figures released during DonateLife Week show 60 per cent of eligible Ballina residents are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register, placing the shire behind only Bellingen and the Blue Mountains.

Northern NSW Local Health District organ donation lead Dr Michael Lindley-Jones said the result was something the community could be proud of, but warned there had been a concerning decline in new registrations.

“Ballina has one of the highest organ donation registration rates in the state, sitting at 60 per cent,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.

“Every local government area in our district has at least half its eligible residents registered, compared to 41 per cent across NSW and 35 per cent nationally.”

However, registrations across Northern NSW fell 21 per cent last year, in line with the statewide trend.

“Continuing to grow the number of people on the Australian Organ Donor Register is really important, as well as encouraging people to talk to their family about their registration decision,” Dr Lindley-Jones said.

The campaign is also highlighting the life-changing impact of organ donation through the story of Tweed grandmother Eve Martin, who spent five years undergoing dialysis before receiving an emergency kidney transplant two years ago.

Ms Martin, who was treated at the former Tweed Hospital before being rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital for surgery, recently returned to the renal dialysis unit at Tweed Valley Hospital to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for her.

“I woke up from my transplant and on the first day felt almost no pain. I was filled with joy,” she said.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the staff who cared for me… I’m living the dream now. My surgery was a total success, and I urge everyone to register to become an organ and tissue donor.”

Across Australia, around 2,000 people are on the transplant waiting list, while a further 14,000 people receive dialysis. More than 50 Australians die each year while waiting for a life-saving transplant.

DonateLife Week continues until Sunday, August 2, with information stalls at Tweed Valley Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital.

Organ donor registration rates (2025)

Ballina – 60%

Kyogle – 58%

Byron – 57%

Clarence Valley – 57%

Lismore – 57%

Tweed – 53%

Richmond Valley – 50%

NSW average – 41%

National average – 35%