Senator Trish Crossin and Federal Member for Solomon, Damian Hale
Federal Member for Solomon Damian Hale and Senator Trish Crossin are asking people to talk to their families about organ donation – and signing on to save a life.
Date: 20 February 2009
Federal Member for Solomon Damian Hale and Senator Trish Crossin are asking people to talk to their families about organ donation - and signing on to save a life.
Organ Donation Awareness Week runs from Saturday 21st February to Saturday 28th February 2009.
As at 1 January 2009, there were 1,716 people on the official organ transplant list in Australia. In 2008, 846 recipients received donated organs from 259 deceased donors.
"Currently, more than 80% of Australians are willing to donate their organ and tissues after death, but never get around to formally registering their consent," Senator Crossin said.
Even though four out of five people indicate they would like to be an organ donor, 44% are not aware their next of kin will be asked to confirm their wishes.
"The message is people need to talk to their families, friends and loved ones about their wishes to be an organ donor," said Damian Hale.
As at 31st December 2008, 0.7% of Territorians are registered to be an organ donor, the lowest in Australia. This is compared to 1.91% in the ACT and 3.39% in Tasmania. Victoria has the highest percentage of registered organ donors, at 23.99%.
The Rudd Government is committed to establishing Australia as a world leader in organ and tissue donations.
There are many benefits of organ and tissue donation. It gives those on the transplant list the gift of life - getting the healthy organ or tissue gives them the opportunity to live life again.
One person has the potential to save many lives, as their organs and tissue can go to different recipients.
We encourage people this week to sit down and talk to their families about their wishes, and to register today.
The Australian Organ Donation Register is administered by Medicare Australia. If people wish to become an organ donor they need to tell their families and register their consent with the Register either online at the Medicare Australia website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au, by calling Medicare on 1800-777-203, or by visiting their local Medicare office.