DONATE LIFE WEEK 2011 - DISCUSS IT, OK?, Australia
Source: Martin Foley, MP

Many local residents will remember receiving our Donate Life in Our Communitypamphlet in the letterbox earlier last year. This is a very important issue and since this week is National Donate Life Week we are posting this pamphlet again here on the web [Download this pamphlet now] and providing more information about how you can get involved and – more importantly – how you can register to donate, remembering to talk to your family and friends about your decision.

TO SAVE A LIFE ONE DAY AS AN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR, DISCUSS IT TODAY. OK?

Making an informed decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor is important. You could save a life one day. One organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many more.

You can register your decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register, the only national register in Australia which can be accessed by authorised medical personnel 24 hours a day.

DR DAVID PILCHER AT THE NEW INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AT THE ALFRED HOSPITAL

It’s important that you also discuss your decision with the people close to you.

In Australia, even if you are registered as a donor, the family will always be asked to confirm your decision and to give consent for donation to proceed.

MARTIN FOLEY MP MEETS ORGAN DONATION RECIPIENT SAMANTHA DURRANT

The most important thing that helps a family’s decision is their knowing the wishes of their loved one. Families that know each other’s donation wishes are more likely to uphold the wishes of the deceased. Australia’s current family consent rate is low, at just 58%.

Less than 1 in 5 families recall having a memorable discussion with their loved ones about each other’s donation wishes, and 40% of Australians do not know the donation wishes of their loved ones.

ORGAN DONOR FAMILY MEMBER BARBARA OXWORTH

DonateLife encourages all families to discuss and accept each other’s donation decisions to help lift the current family consent rate to save and improve more lives.

Discover the facts about organ and tissue donation • Decide about becoming an organ and tissue donor • Discuss your decision with family and friends. For more information please contact DonateLife in Victoria on (03) 8317 7400 or visit www.donatelife.gov.au

If you need more forms, you can register online or call 1800 777 203.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE DONATE LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY PAMPHLET (2MB PDF)