It’s a question Leonnee Pinchen-Martin has grappled with ever since she received an emergency heart transplant in 2012.

The Tamworth mum, who was diagnosed with peri-partum cardiomyopathy when she was 37 weeks’ pregnant with son Levi, now has another compelling reason to champion organ donation.

Her fiancee Joe Stolker is about to go on the waiting list for a new kidney after a running battle with kidney disease.

Together the pair this week launched a massive event in Tamworth next year to coincide with Donate for Life Week.

The Don’t Throw it Away campaign aims to encourage locals to register as an organ and tissue donor and will include a host of events next August.

A massive garage sale, gala dinner and family fun day at Bicentennial Park will all form part of the weekend.

Australia’s most celebrated heart transplant recipient Fiona Coote, who hails from Manilla, has already agreed to speak at the dinner.

“We’ve always had a vision to hold an event like this locally,” Ms Pinchen-Martin said.

“It’s the first time anything like this has been done regionally.”

Mr Stolker, who may have to wait five years for his kidney transplant, said the message of the campaign was clear.

“Realistically, Australia’s donation rate is pretty low; we’re about 21st in the world,” Mr Stolker said.

“Most people in our community do want to be donors but the problem is people’s families don’t know that.

“We want to raise awareness about the need for people to discuss their wishes with their family.”

He said ticking a box on your licence form was no longer effective, urging residents to register as donors via the Medicare website.

In 2008, federal Labor launched a national reform program for organ donations, aiming to raise community awareness about the critical need for donors and equipping the health system to better take donations.

To support the local campaign, join the Facebook page “Don’t Throw It Away Event”.