Tragic loss of Josie Pinheiro has saved four lives in under a month through organ donation

The generosity of a Warrnambool teen who died tragically in Queensland has saved four lives within a few weeks. Find out how.

Josie Pinheiro would always think of others and put others first. Picture: Supplied

A Warrnambool teen who took her own life has saved the lives of four people after donating her organs.

Josie Pinheiro, a Warrnambool teen who was living in Kelso, Queensland with her boyfriend, died earlier this month and her organs have now been donated to those in need.

Mother Tash Lambert said her 17-year-old saved a teenage girl with a double lung transplant, a woman who received a liver transplant, a man received a combined pancreas and kidney transplant and another woman has received a kidney transplant.

“She also has heart tissue that is still being used for saving other lives,” Ms Lambert said.

Ms Lambert did not speak regularly about organ donation with Josie in the past.

The Warrnambool teen has saved four lives after donating her organs. Picture: Supplied

“I guess it was something I was planning on talking to her about when she would turn 18 or older about getting things in order when you become an adult and the things you want to do,” she said.

Ms Lambert did not hesitate when the doctors asked her if she wanted her daughter’s organs donated.

“I knew that would be something Josie would definitely want to do,” she said.

“At first they said I could have a think about it but I actually said to them that I don’t need to think about it — I actually know Josie would want this and to save other people’s lives.”

Josie Pinheiro as a ballet dancer when she was younger. Picture: Supplied

Ms Lambert received a letter in the mail from the doctors on February 20 informing her how many lives her daughter has saved.

“They’ve sent me out a how to cope with grief book and just a lot of things about grieving and organ donation,” Ms Lambert said.

Ms Lambert felt happy to know four lives were saved and was “very happy for the families”.

“At the same time I’ve got this other part of me that just wishes this didn’t happen and this nightmare that I feel like I am in everyday was not happening,” she said.

“I would definitely want people to be organ donors for sure — I think it’s definitely something that needs to be considered — and I know we will all be one — me, my boys and my partner,” she said.

Ms Lambert has thanked everyone who supported Josie’s GoFundMe page to get her home from Queensland to Warrnambool, which raised more than $15,000.

“Without that we wouldn’t have been able to get her home,” Ms Lambert said.

The money raised from the fundraiser also contributed to Josie’s funeral.

Help is at hand Key national 24/7 crisis support services include: • Lifeline 13 11 14; lifeline.org.au • Suicide Call Back Service; 1300 659 467; suicidecall backservice.org.au • MensLine Australia 1300 789 978; mensline. org.au • beyondblue 1300 224 636; beyondblue.org.au • conversationsmatter. com.au Key national youth support services include: • Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; kidshelp.com.au • headspace 1800 650 890 www.headspace.org.au • The “Can We talk” campaign also is working with Mindframe; mindframe-media.info