‘have the chat’ about organ and tissue donation

Jack was born with nephrotic syndrome, a congenital kidney disease which resulted in lengthy periods of hospitalisation. At the age of 21 months, Jack’s life was transformed with the gift of a kidney transplant. Professor Jonathan Craig from Westmead Children’s Hospital Sydney said, “Australia is a world leader in organ and tissue transplants. But we depend entirely on the compassion of ordinary Australians who make a decision which enables us to change lives.”  As an organ and tissue donor, you could transform the lives of 10 or more people. It’s important to go onto the internet and register your donation decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register and, importantly, that you share your decision with those closest to you. 

To optimise every potential organ and tissue donor, we each need to have the chat with our family members so that we know each other’s donation decision. In Australia, the family will always be asked to confirm the donation decision of their loved one before donation for transplantation can proceed. Families that have discussed and know each other’s donation decisions are much more likely to support donation proceeding. DonateLife Week is Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation and is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority.

Rotarians and clubs in District 9820 are being urged to undertake promotional activity in their local area in promoting DonateLife Week. Together we can make a real difference to much needed organ and tissue donations and at the same time highlight Rotary’s commitment to humanitarian service. Registered organ donors are truly a gift to the world. Further information http://www.donatelife.gov.au/donatelife-week-2015