Singer Tania Doko Inspired to Help Boost Organ and Tissue Donation

22 July 2008

A quick post-concert chat with a fan whose life was transformed by a double-lung transplant has inspired singer Tania Doko to become an ambassador promoting organ and tissue donation awareness.

Doko’s performance of “Permission to Shine” - as half of the award-winning duo Bachelor Girl - inspired Michelle Ashby and her twin sister Steph, who have had three double lung transplants between them.

When Michelle approached Tania earlier this year at a Gold Coast concert and talked about the World Transplant Games to be staged in her hometown in 2009, Tania was intrigued by the 41-year-old’s energy and determination.

“When I met Michelle she was very humble – she was very memorable in her approach,” said Tania, who is currently on a national tour ‘Let’s Get Together’ with other well-known Australian singers Jon Stevens, Ian Moss and Jack Jones.

“People living with heart or lung conditions, who benefit from a transplant and have such a will to live – that inspires me ten-fold.”

When Tania learned more about Teamlife Transplant Australia she was keen to help out. She soon discovered the national charity was not only the largest support organisation of its kind in the world and a promoter of organ and tissue donation awareness, it was also the host of the Australian Transplant Games and the 2009 World Transplant Games.

Tania joins other high-profile Teamlife Ambassadors spreading the word – former Australian Cricket Captain Mark Taylor and his wife Judi; Queensland Premier Anna Bligh; television celebrity Steve Liebmann; and Parliamentary Secretary to the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas.

Tania hopes to take part in the World Transplant Games opening ceremony or concert in August 2009 and she is excited about the opportunity to promote the benefits of organ and tissue donation when possible at gigs around Australia.

“Hearing stories like Michelle’s touches us all, making you realise anything is possible,” said Tania, who is based in Melbourne. “I guess it drums home ‘don’t sweat the small stuff’.

Double-lung transplant recipients Michelle & Steph Ashby “Just looking at the stats – this issue has gone well under the radar. If more people knew that only 200-odd Australians actually donate their organs each year and there is the potential for many more people to be saved – wouldn’t more people ask ‘what can we do to actually make a difference?’

“It’s not about money – it’s about awareness based on education. It doesn’t cost anything to donate an organ. Your family and friends need to know you want to be a donor and you need to document that on the Australian Organ Donor Registry. Saving someone’s life and giving them another 10 or more years is inspiring.”

As part of Bachelor Girl, Tania Doko enjoyed much success through the decade long journey with James Roche. It was 1998 when Bachelor Girl's debut single Buses & Trains leapt onto the Australian music charts and since that time became one of the country's leading live and recording acts.

In 1999, with four ARIA award nominations and the APRA Award for Song of The Year & PPCA most played song on Australian radio (Buses & Trains), Bachelor Girl rode high on the airwaves and the charts as their debut release spawned five smash hit singles including ‘Buses and Trains’, ‘Treat Me Good’’ and the popular Australian classic ‘Permission To Shine’. Following this success in Australia & abroad, Tania was invited to perform a lead role in SEL’s ‘Tim Rice Musical Spectacular’ (2001)as well as a judge/mentor role on Channel 7’s‘Popstars’ (2004).

Tania has also just completed writing and recording a new album with her new electro rock band SHE SAID YES(SSY). Securing the support for the Darren Hayes national tour October 2007, SHE SAID YES released their critically acclaimed debut independent EP to coincide with Tania’s current national tour with Stevens, Moss and Jones.