Initial hesitation in Murray becoming an organ donor was not about Anne being against the concept of donation. Anne had not realised it was possible to be with Murray, surrounded by family, when he died.

This DonateLife Week, Anne and her daughters want to help break myths and stigma surrounding organ donation.

They want to offer hope.

Murray Ryan was a motivated and work-driven man, running the family business. He was strong, fit and always busy - but he always had time for his family.

The 65-year-old's six grandchildren - three boys and three girls - loved spending time with him and he was besotted by them.

Murray's daughters say when they look back at photos, he was always holding a grandchild or one of his younger nieces or nephews. Murray loved a good chat and laugh with them and his daughter's quip this was largely because youngsters laughed at all his jokes.

Annya Ryan, Chantal Ryan and Tanee Vincent say they were all for organ and tissue donation as a gift from their dad from the outset.

But what mattered most was their mum was comfortable with any decision and for Anne, this was in better understanding the process.

The family had choice in what eligible organs and tissues they might like Murray to donate when he died late last year.

They also had time with Murray when he can back to the ward and said the procedures had been discrete. Surgery is made the same as if on a living person.

He still looked like their Murray.

"When I actually said yes, the whole organisation - people buzzing everywhere - was what amazed me," Anne said. "They already had recipients organised. All the behind the scenes stuff was going on but I cannot say enough about how respectful and considerate all the staff at the hospital were to us."

HUMBLE: Click on the photo below to read more about Ballarat Health Services' intensive care unit team and their thoughts on those who consider donation in the toughest of times.

Murray was a donor after circulatory death. Organ and tissue donation can be made after blood circulation permanently stops.

Doctors allowed family and friends extra time to spend with Murray before his death.

Anne and Annya said this time was incredibly special, particularly for out-of-town and interstate family to be able to travel to say goodbye. It was also important to Anne that Murray's mates had a chance to see him one last time, before he died.

For other families, this extra time might feel too much. That is okay too. Hospital teams work to best match family needs.

What surprised Anne in this time were how many friends were uncertain about the family's choice for organ donation.

Ballarat nurse donation specialist Larna Woodyatt said a lot of people remained unsure about donation until involved in the process - even if a loved one has indicated they wish to be a donor. Ms Woodyatt said too often, people were initially asked to make a decision in an acute time of grief with limited understanding.

This was why Ms Woodyatt said awareness and discussion with family were so important.

"One of the biggest concerns people have is about overriding decision of a loved, if they know it. This happens infrequently but there is choice," Ms Woodyatt said.

"Australia has an opt-in system. Other countries have opt-out and lots of people think we would have a higher donation rate with this...We know this does not work. What does work is us being able to talk with a family that is aware of a loved one's wishes and what organ donation is about."

When a person has registered with DonateLife, their decision was upheld nine times out of 10 by family, according to DonateLife. But, when the family was unaware, more than half will decline organ and tissue donation.

Data showed Ballarat had more residents signed up on the organ donation registry last year than any other Victorian suburb and town - and this was just for the 3350 postcode. About one in five Victorians had registered their decision.

HOPE: Below are the many faces of Ballarat affected by organ donation who have shared their incredibly personal stories in The Courier for awareness last year. Click on the image to read more.

Annya had talked with her dad about organ donation at some stage. She could hardly remember the conversation but knows her dad was not against it.

Annya, her sisters and mum felt this was a gift Murray would be happy to make.

About 1400 Australian are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. In 2018, there were 554 deceased and 238 living donors and their families gave 1782 Australians a new chance at life.

Chantal said the statistics really surprised her.

"I think sometimes about all the people wanting a transplant to how many organs are actually given," Chantal said.

"Hospital staff spent a lot of time taking dad's medical history to get it right...It was all done very quickly then, to match with the right recipients. All the hospital staff were so professional. Everyone was really caring and respectful towards Dad, they would speak to him all the time."

Chantal said it was also amazing how organ and tissue gifts could go to the best match and person most in need anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. But, importantly, Murray's surgery could happen in his hospital, close to family, in Ballarat.

Reflecting on time spent in the Royal Children's Hospital waiting rooms helped Anne realise the difference such gifts could make to another family.

"One of the things that swayed me was my daughters saying to me that it could be one day one of my grandchildren might need a life-saving transplant," Anne said. "You don't know what the future holds."

Almost everyone can help others through organ and tissue donation. For deceased organ donation, death must occur in hospital and under strict conditions. Far more people can donate tissue, which can be made up to 24 hours after death, regardless of where death occurs.

Annya and Chantal said it felt good to know, especially when they needed it most, that their dad was still around helping others.

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