SOMEONE else's liver gave Ann Kolatchew a second chance at life.
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Mrs Kolatchew had her life-saving operation in 2010 and wants to get the word out about the importance of organ donation.
DonateLife Week - Australia's national awareness week for organ and tissue donation - runs from Sunday, February 23 to Sunday, March 2.
To help raise awareness, Mrs Kolatchew and her daughter, Emily Kolatchew, will be at a March Newy Park Run to hand out brochures about organ and tissue donation.
Of all hospital deaths, less than 1 per cent of people die in a way that makes their organs suitable for donation.
With organ donations so rare, Mrs Kolatchew said family communication and knowledge of donation decisions was important.
She said organ donation was often a three-step process - many people give permission to donate organs when they fill out the paperwork for their driver's licence, but they should also register their name on the Australian organ donor register, and talk to their family.
"Ultimately, it's your family who will have the last say," she said.
■ The Newy Park Run supporting DonateLife Week is Saturday, March 8 from 8am starting at Arnold Street, Carrington. Entry is free. Register at parkrun.com.au/newy.