Donate Life

By Danielle Pope

Donate Life
Do your family know your wishes?

DonateLife week is currently underway. Led by the Organ and Tissue Authority, DonateLife Week is a key part of the Australian Government’s national reform program to increase organ and tissue donation and transplantation outcomes.

Did you know only one in three Australians have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register, even though 81% believe registration of donation decisions is important?

And registration is important – nine in ten families agree to donation proceeding when the deceased is a registered organ donor. This drops to just 52% where the deceased was not registered and the family had no prior knowledge.

More than 1,400 Australians are today waiting for a life-saving or life-transforming transplant. Meanwhile in New Zealand, there are currently more than 550 people waiting for an organ or tissue transplant. Sadly, some of these people will die waiting, while others will continue to lead lives restricted by long-term treatment.

If you are willing to one day save lives by becoming an organ and tissue donor, you need to register and discuss your decision with your family and friends.

You can register your intentions in Australia via the Donate Life website here, or in New Zealand via Organ Donation New Zealand here. The most important thing is to make your wishes known, so this week have a conversation with your family and loved ones. Your decision might just save someone else’s life.

 

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