Q: I am interested in becoming an organ donor. What do I need to know and do I need to tell anyone?

By signing up as a registered organ and tissue donor, you can save the lives of up to 10 people and significantly improve the lives of many more.

In 2009, 247 organ donors gave 799 Australians a new chance in life!

Australia enjoys a reputation for successful transplant outcomes, but, disappointingly, it also has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.

Country Donor Rate (per million people)*

Spain 34

US 24

Italy 21

United Kingdom 15

Australia 12

*2008 figures: www.anzdata.org.au

CRITICAL FACTS

•  There are 1698 people (as at April 13) on the Australian transplant waiting list.

•  People on the transplant list must wait, on average, between six months and four years for a suitable organ to become available. Some die waiting.

•  Last year, less than half of the demand for organs could be met

COMMON MYTHS

Myth 1 – People with chronic health conditions can’t be donors

Almost everyone can be a donor – even the aged and people with chronic health conditions. Only a few medical conditions preclude the donation of organs. The governing factors are where and how a donor dies and the condition of their organs and tissue.

Myth 2 – Donating organs is sacrilegious

All major religions support organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

Myth 3 – Being a donor may impact on the dying process

Someone must be declared brain dead or heart dead (with no chance of recovery) before a donation can occur. But people wanting to save the life of someone they know can donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive.

Myth 4 – You can’t have a normal funeral

Funeral arrangements are not affected by organ donation. Organ and tissue donations happen quickly after death and the body appears as if it has undergone normal surgery.

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

Some people believe that donating is a good thing but apathy prevents them from ever making that intention known. Others make an active decision not to become organ donors and formalise their objection on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Some reasons people opt out include:

•  Not knowing enough about organ donation to make an informed decision

•  A mistaken understanding of the process

•  The desire to be buried with the body intact because of, for example, a belief in reincarnation

•  A squeamish dislike of the idea of the actual organ/tissue removal

DID YOU KNOW?

Cornea Donations

•  Australia is in the top five countries for corneal donation rates.

•  In 2008, 1096 people donated their corneas, ensuring t hat 1696 people had their sight restored.

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Tissue Donors

•  Each year, 3000-4500 skin, heart and musculoskeletal tissues are transplanted.

THE AUSTRALIAN ORGAN DONOR REGISTER

More than 1.3 million Australians have registered their legally valid consent or objection to organ/tissue donation.

An Australia Organ Donor card shows you are correctly registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

In 2005 the Australian Organ Donor Register was established to enable people to record their legal decision to become an organ or tissue donor after death. It’s the only national register for this purpose and is a lifeline for people on the waiting lists.

The Donor Register ensures that the consent (or objection) to donating organs and/or tissue for transplantation can be verified at all times, anywhere in Australia. In the event of death, information about the decision is accessed by authorised medical personnel and provided to the deceased’s family.

SIGNING UP

•  People aged 18 and over are able to record their consent on the Donor Register

•  Registrations of intent are accepted from people aged 16 and 17

•  Donors may limit their donation to only certain organs or tissue

THE LAST SAY…

Even if you are registered as an organ donor, your family will still have the final say because:

•  The hospital staff do not want to cause unnecessary distress, or

•  You may have changed your mind and told your family, but not changed the Register.

This means it’s vital to talk to your family about your decision. Knowing what the deceased’s wishes are and having that confirmed by the registry, can help to ease the burden on your family during a distressing time.

Statistics sourced from www.anzdata.org.au and www.donatelife.gov.au

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