Bendigo Hit FM morning presenter Michael Billings has used his broadcast knowledge to shine a light on a cause close to his heart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As host of Let's Talk Organ and Tissue Donation in collaboration with DonateLife Victoria, Mr Billings is raising the profile of organ donation pledges in honour of his father.
"About eight years ago my dad passed away from liver cancer," he said. "He was on a transplant list but that never came.
"Organ donation is something that I always want to talk about.
"I approached DonateLife and pitched the podcast idea to them and they said 'great!'. They've since put me in touch with a rotating door of amazing guests."
RELATED:
Mr Billings has so far interviewed 12 people from across Australia through the Let's Talk Organ and Tissue Donation podcast and he continues to be inspired each fortnight by his guests.
"One of the first episodes was with an amazing woman Bonnie Power whose son Jack was hit by a car at 10 and she was approached to donate his organs," he said. "She asked herself 'what would Jack want?'
"She knew he was the type of kid who liked to help others and so she said 'absolutely'.
"Jack went on to save something like 10 lives through that donation.
"I've spoken to a couple of people who have had their family members donate their organs and to kids who have been sick since birth who need transplants and the amazing rush they get when they hear 'we have an organ for you'.
"Going on a journey with these people to hear about their life after organ donation has been really amazing."
READ MORE:
To mark DonateLife Week Mr Billings is encouraging everyone to sign up to be an organ donor and to have open conversations with their families about their wishes.
"This podcast is interesting because most shows want to build an audience but this one is different," he said. "I only need you to listen to one or two episodes to encourage you to sign up to be an organ donor and talk to your family.
"My main thing isn't about getting clicks, it's about increasing the pool of people to go on the donation list and saving lives."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- If you're a subscriber, join our subscriber-only Facebook group.
- Follow us on Google News
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.