There is a gift we all have the potential to give this festive season and by registering your decision to be an organ donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register you may one day save a life.
According to Donate Life NT at least half of Northern Territory residents are willing to donate their organs and tissue to someone in need, however only 12% have registered their donation decision online. While most Territorians are confident their partner or family members would uphold their donation decision in the event of their death, only 50% have communicated their wishes with their loved ones.
NT State Medical Director for Organ and Tissue Donation and Intensive Care Specialist at Royal Darwin Hospital, Dr Sarah Jones, encourages all Territorians to discuss their wishes with friends and family during the holiday period.
“While you’re celebrating the festive season with your loved ones have the conversation about organ donation and make your decision count by registering online,” she said.
“It is such a remarkable act of kindness for families to consent to organ donation at a time of loss and heartache. By registering your donation decision you are leaving your loved ones in no doubt of your wishes to save lives as an organ and tissue donor.
“Nine out of ten families agree to donation proceeding when their loved one is a registered donor and with around 1,400 Australians currently on transplant waiting lists, and a further 12,000 people on dialysis, we need to optimise every donation opportunity to save more lives. You might be surprised to know that only 1% of Australians who die each year can potentially become an organ donor.”
In 2016, a record 1,713 Australians received a lifesaving transplant thanks to the generosity of 503 deceased and 267 living organ donors and their families. A further 9,000 Australians benefited from tissue donation.
Join the Australian Organ Donor Register today, for more information and to register online visit donatelife.gov.au.
Media note: Dr Sarah Jones is available for interview upon request.
Media contact: Rickie Abraham 0419 818 414