Get serious about organ donation

Australians have been challenged to get serious about their support for the Australian Transplant Games by discussing organ donation with their families and encouraging the gift of life through organ and tissue transplantation.

The call came last week from the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, at the NSW Parliamentary Launch of the 13th Australian Transplant Games.

The Transplant Games showcase the importance of the “life changing and saving” gift of organ donation.

“I wish every success to the many donor families, living donors and transplant recipients who will come together to participate in the upcoming Australian Transplant Games,” Ms King said.

“All Australians will appreciate how wonderful it is to see these transplant recipients back to health and competing at such a level.”

Ms King claimed the federal government’s involvement and sponsorship of the Transplant Games showcased its commitment to enabling Australians a second chance at life through the generosity of individuals and their families.

New research commissioned by the Organ and Tissue Authority showed while the majority of Australians supported organ and tissue donation, 48% of Australians were unaware that few deaths in hospital occur in the specific circumstances that are medically suitable for organ donation to proceed.

“Because organ donation is a rare event, to optimise every potential organ donation, it is critical every Australian family discuss – and know – each other’s donation wishes.

“The research also highlights the strong motivation Australians have for being generous.”

The majority (84%) of people surveyed said they were more inclined to agree to organ donation upon learning that only a small percentage of people would die in such a way where they can become organ donors.

Only about 1% to 2% of the 77,000 deaths in hospitals last year were in circumstances where organ donation could be considered.

Ms King said the research demonstrated the need for more Australian families to ask – and know – about each other’s donation wishes.

“Family knowledge is a critical part of increasing Australia’s consent to donation proceeding, which sits at 59% – up from 55% in 2010,” she added.

“Our research found 92% of Australians who know their family members’ wishes say they would uphold those wishes. It’s a conversation families need to have that can one day transform lives.

“The Transplant Games provides a great opportunity to start a conversation about the life transforming act of organ and tissue donation. Let’s get serious – it’s a conversation that could one day save lives.”

For more information, visit DonateLife at www.donatelife.gov.au