Federal member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, has encouraged residents to put their good intentions about organ donation into effect by registering and sharing their decision online during Donate Life Week.
Ms Wicks said the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation, with almost 70 per cent saying they were willing to become organ and tissue donors, yet only one third of adults had joined the national register. “Many have not registered because they haven’t made time or are unsure about how to register,” said Ms Wicks. “During DonateLife Week residents are being asked to make the time to register online and to share their decision with family and friends,” she said.
“Registration is important because it leaves your family in no doubt of your decision to save lives.” Increasing rates of organ donation enabled a record 707 Australians to receive lifesaving transplants in the first six months of 2016. A new annual record was also set in 2015, of 1,241 organ recipients. Currently around 1,500 Australians are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with a further 12,000 people on dialysis waiting for a new kidney. “If you’re willing to one day save lives as a donor, make sure you join the Australian Organ Donor Register and share your decision with loved ones.
Media release, Jul 26, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks