Who we are

The Australian Heart and Lung Transplant Association (AHLTA)

AHLTA is a volunteer-run community supporting people living with heart and lung transplantation across Australia – recipients, people waiting for transplant, carers and families.

We were founded in 1984 by Dr Victor Chang and a group of transplant recipients, alongside the Heart and Lung Transplant Program at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney. More than 40 years on, our purpose remains the same: to make sure no one goes through the transplant journey feeling alone.

What we do

We support and inform heart and lung transplant patients – before transplant and after transplant – as well as carers and families. Our work includes:

  • Connecting members with others who understand the experience

  • Sharing trustworthy information and updates, including research and advances in cardiothoracic care

  • Promoting organ donation and transplantation

  • Raising funds for cardiothoracic transplant research, equipment, and support programs

  • Providing practical assistance where we can, including accommodation and limited financial support for eligible members

Our purpose

We believe life after transplant deserves support.

Our vision

A connected and supported heart and lung transplant community, where no one faces the journey alone.

Our mission

To support and advocate for heart and lung transplant recipients, families and carers through connection, care, practical assistance and community.

Our values

Compassion
We lead with empathy, care and understanding.

Belonging
We create connection through shared experience and mutual support.

Respect
We recognise that every transplant journey is unique and deserving of dignity.

Advocacy
We speak up for transplant recipients and promote awareness of organ donation and better care.

Support
We offer practical help and human connection when it’s needed most.

Trust
We act with honesty, reliability and integrity.

Meet the AHLTA committee

AHLTA is led by a volunteer committee made up of recipients, carers and supporters from across Australia.

  • Ash Morgan
    President (Sunshine Coast)

  • Jennifer Boyd
    Vice-President and Treasurer (Sydney)

  • Natalie Kluss-Bown
    Secretary (Hobart)

  • Paula Sykes
    Membership Registrar (Sydney)

  • Connie Sev
    Committee Member (Sydney)

  • Erin Baker
    Committee Member (Sydney)

  • Rita
    Committee Member (Sydney)

Ash Morgan
President

I was very fortunate to receive a double lung transplant in 2020, and thanks to the medical team at St Vincents in Sydney, I have made a very good recovery.

The experience inspired me to join AHLTA and the Executive Committee, working with these wonderful people.

As well as my role as Vice-President, I assist with fund raising, and am responsible for facilitation and maintenance of the AHLTA website.

My partner Tracee and I relocated from Canberra to South-East Queensland in December 2021.

‍ For anyone preparing or recovering from transplant surgery, I am always available to chat. Feel free to contact me on 0418 434 701 or ashmorgan.com@gmail.com

Paula Sykes
Memberships

in 2020 I was lucky enough to have a double lung transplant at St Vincent’s Hospital following a 8 year progressive decline with a rare lung disease called Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis (PPFE).

 The first 6 months of transplant were pretty full on with Plasmapheresis and lots of side effects to push through but now I am literally climbing mountains.

Pre and post-transplant, I joined various Facebook support groups to help with all the questions I had to ask and to feel that I was not alone on my transplant journey. These groups helped me in so many ways that they made me realise that I wanted to give back and support other people going through the same experiences.

 I volunteered to be the Membership Registrar in June 2022 and I’m loving every minute of it.  

I’m the person who is your first point of call once your online application to join AHLTA has been received. I am here to helping any way I can with initial questions, concerns and requests and if I can’t help, I’ll get one of my Committee Members to assist. 

Natalie Bown
Secretary

I was lucky to receive a donor heart in 2018. I spent a lot of time recovering post transplant both physically and mentally.

In 2020, I finally had time to stop and consider how I could support AHLTA and other patients pre and post transplant. I had already joined the AHLTA support group on Facebook and COVID 19 presented opportunities to attend meetings online so I started that way. I am super excited to be helping out as secretary in 2021.

I am really keen to continue with AHLTA Heart and Lung Outreach (HALO) in Tasmania as we are quite isolated down here so it is nice to meet other Tasmanians on the same journey.

When I am not helping AHLTA, I consider myself to be a maker, a baker and a Speech Pathologist.

Connie Sev
Committee Member

Bio coming soon!

Jennifer Boyd
Vice President & Treasurer

My husband Bob had a transplant in 2018, and I became Treasurer of AHLTA in 2020.

I have worked in the legal industry as Secretary to solicitors and barristers for many years, and was the office manager in my last position before leaving and caring for Bob in 2017.

We have two adult sons and a rather large dog. AHLTA is a wonderful volunteer group who give all donations towards AHLTA house and transplant recipients in need. I am proud to be of assistance to them to help others.