Key Takeaways
- Karen Duncan, a 55-year-old woman with motor neurone disease (MND), became the first person to donate organs after self-administering voluntary assisted dying (VAD) medication in Australia.
- Ms Duncan’s donation is considered a breakthrough case, as it was previously thought that organ donation was only possible if the VAD medication was administered intravenously.
- The case highlights the potential for VAD to increase the pool of organ donors in Australia, with estimates suggesting that up to 25 additional donors per year could be possible in Victoria alone.
- The combination of VAD and organ donation is an ethically complex topic, requiring careful consideration to ensure that individuals are not being exploited or coerced during the end-of-life period.
- Guidelines have been created to separate the decision to undergo VAD from the decision to donate organs, and to ensure that discussions about organ donation occur only after a person has received their VAD permit.
Introduction to Karen Duncan’s Story
Karen Duncan, a 55-year-old woman with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease (MND), made the courageous decision to end her life via voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and donate her organs to help others. Speaking to the ABC before her death, Ms Duncan explained that she wanted to help others if she could, and that donating her organs was a way for her to give back to the community. She was determined to make a difference, even in death, and her selfless act has paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps.
The Process of Donating Organs after VAD
Ms Duncan’s case was a groundbreaking one, as it was previously thought that organ donation was only possible if the VAD medication was administered intravenously. However, Ms Duncan was able to donate her lungs, kidneys, and heart valve, as well as eye tissue for MND research, after self-administering the VAD medication. Her donation has challenged the assumption that organ donation is not possible after self-administered VAD, and has opened up new possibilities for others who may be considering this option. According to Rohit D’Costa, an intensive care doctor and medical director of Donate Life Victoria, Ms Duncan’s donation is a "very meaningful" gift that is without precedence.
The Ethical Considerations Surrounding VAD and Organ Donation
The combination of VAD and organ donation is an ethically complex topic, requiring careful consideration to ensure that individuals are not being exploited or coerced during the end-of-life period. Dominique Martin, a professor in health, ethics, and professionalism at Deakin University, notes that both VAD and deceased donation are practices that depend on public trust in healthcare systems and healthcare professions. Guidelines have been created to separate the decision to undergo VAD from the decision to donate organs, and to ensure that discussions about organ donation occur only after a person has received their VAD permit. Dr D’Costa explains that these guidelines are in place to protect individuals from any potential conflict of interest, and to ensure that they are able to make informed decisions about their end-of-life care.
The Potential for VAD to Increase Organ Donation
Ms Duncan’s case highlights the potential for VAD to increase the pool of organ donors in Australia. According to Dr D’Costa, organ donation after VAD has the potential to increase the number of donors in Australia, with estimates suggesting that up to 25 additional donors per year could be possible in Victoria alone. International research estimates that 10 to 15 per cent of people eligible for VAD are likely to be medically suitable to donate their organs. Dr D’Costa notes that the people who are accessing VAD are saying in the strongest possible way that they want to be able to donate their organs, and that it is essential to have systems in place to make this possible.
Karen Duncan’s Legacy
Ms Duncan’s donation has left a lasting legacy, and her family is proud of her selfless act. Her daughter Brodie Cox says that her mother would be "very happy" to have been able to donate so many organs, and that she is proud to have been a part of her mother’s journey. Ms Duncan’s case has also been recognized internationally, with her story being presented at the 2025 organ donation congress in Kyoto. Her determination and courage have inspired others, and her legacy will continue to live on through the lives of those who have been touched by her donation. As her daughter Brieanna says, "She’s my hero, my best friend when she was here, and she’s an even bigger hero now."