Video: Sunshine Coast cops race to help DonateLife with organ donation

Rarely seen footage shows the measures emergency crews go to when every moment matters between an organ donation and the delivery to other hospitals for life-saving surgeries.

Sunshine Coast police officers have been acknowledged for their work in rushing time-critical organ donations to hospitals for life-saving surgeries.

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital donation specialist nurses from DonateLife Queensland will gather to present letters of appreciation to officers from the Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol unit who assisted in organ transfers last year.

Police can be called to escort or transport specialist teams or organs to airports or major hospitals due to the time-critical nature of organ donation.

South-East Queensland highway patrol units are involved in about 30 organ transfers each year, a police statement reads.

In the footage released by the Queensland Police Service, a police vehicle is being escorted by motorcycle police through traffic, a Brisbane tunnel and to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Police have shared a video of officers rushing organs to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Donation specialist nurse Shona McDonald said she was thankful to police and their assistance in urgent situations.

“Police commitment to this task, as well as drivers who co-operate out on the roads, help us with the timely and safe transport of organs from our generous donors to the transplant recipients who are waiting for a whole new life,” Ms McDonald said.

The officers arrive at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

“The success of organ transplantation relies on time-critical transfers within strict time limits.”

Ms McDonald explained fast and safe transports within such limits help ensure the “precious gifts of life” reach their destination to provide the best outcomes for waitlisted patients.

Sunshine Coast highway patrol officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Shane Panoho said organ transfers were a positive and rewarding part of the job.

“It’s an honour to be involved in this life-saving process,” Senior Sergeant Panoho said.

“I thank the community for co-operating with us when we need to activate lights and sirens to transport the organs quickly and safety.”

He described organ transfers as a great example to show the importance of drivers giving way to emergency vehicles.

“We could be carrying life-saving cargo,” he said. DonateLife Queensland is a government agency which coordinates organ and tissue donation across the state.

Originally published as Video: Sunshine Coast cops race to help DonateLife with organ donation