Somebody That I’ll Never Know: A Tribute to Organ Donors

Credit: FilmLifeProject

In 2011, Australian pop artist Gotye released his single, “Somebody That I Used to Know.” The song became the anthem of the year, reaping countless parody songs. Among the sea of covers, one song stood out in particular: fellow Australian Brooke Huuskes’s interpretation of the song as an homage to organ donors and an expression of an organ transplant experience.

Credit: FilmLifeProject

“Now and then I think of all the people losing loved ones. But I never ever thought that it would happen to me,” sings Huuskes in the song. The video is more or less on point with the original video’s style: a man and woman sing in front of a white backdrop and as the intensity of the song progresses, the man’s body becomes covered in bright paint. It’s a way of symbolizing change — a way to see someone at their most vulnerable and affected state. And it’s probably why Gotye’s melody, which teeters between peppy and melancholy, works so well with Huuskes’ desire to use the song to talk about the experience of needing an organ donor. However, in lieu of color-blocking body paint, the male singer becomes covered in a trompe l’œil of organs.

In 2010, Huuskes was 26 years old and in need of an organ donor due to congenital kidney disease. Needing an organ transplant wasn’t something she ever thought would happen—let alone while she was so young. The same year – and a hefty amount of stress later – her father ended up giving her his kidney.

“In 2010, Huuskes was 26 years old and in need of an organ donor due to congenital kidney disease.”

Credit: FilmLifeProject

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there are currently 122,886 people waiting for an organ in America — 18 of which will die each day. “One organ donor can change the lives of up to ten people,” reads Huuskes’ credits, “Have you had the discussion?” It’s true that becoming an organ donor makes a remarkable difference—just one donor can save up to eight lives.

“There are currently 122,886 people waiting for an organ in America — 18 of which will die each day.”

Today, Huuskes is healthy and championing for broader organ donor education. Her song was such an online hit that it won the 2014 New Scientist Medical Masterpieces competition. Her mission is to inform the public on just how meaningful it is to be both an organ donor and receiver – how else would she have been able to fulfill her dream of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro?

What are your concerns or experiences with organ transplants or donations? We look forward to your comments below.

Check out Brooke Huuskes’ video:

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