Ex-Tamworth residents Cassie Brandon, double lung recipient, and Wendy Wood talk DonateLife Week

A mad dash at 3.40am in the morning after almost two years of tests, waiting, more tests, and 136 days on a waiting list, Cassie Brandon's life changed with one phone call.

Cassie is six weeks out from having a double lung transplant.

She is now a living testament to the importance of being an organ donor, something she wants to highlight for DonateLife Week.

Mum Wendy Woods, a Tamworth Country Music stalwart, said it's all hard to believe.

"It's so surreal - you know it's happening but it doesn't feel like it," she explained.

"You get the call, but then they may say those lungs aren't viable, or they've gone to someone else. I couldn't imagine what that would've been like."

Wendy and Cassie's husband Nathan Brandon got the call at 11am saying 'the lungs are viable, we are going to go ahead'.

"We didn't know whether to laugh or cry."

No amount of medical professionals could have helped her if not for the compassion of one single stranger.

"There is that power in everyone to be a superhero," Cassie stated.

Through her journey, many of her friends in need of a transplant lost their battle, either not getting an organ in time or having their body reject it.

There are 1700 people in need of transplants in Australia. Last year, 1683 lives were transformed by living and deceased donors and families.

"Have that conversation with your family. Sign up to be a donor at donatelife.gov.au, but at the end of the day the decision comes down to your family," Wendy explained.

The three all thank everyone in Tamworth for their moral support.

"People have given us emotional and financial support, and we really appreciate the messages they've been sending. We can't thank them enough," Wendy said.

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"There is still a long road to recovery, but every day is a day closer to home."

For more about Cassie's story and continuing journey, visit the delta508warrior Facebook page.