Change the world by becoming an organ donor
Change the world by becoming an organ donor
Organ Donor Awareness Week 18-25 February
During Organ Donation Awareness week (ODAW), health care professionals are urging Australians to make a decision that will live on long after they have gone.
Organ and Tissue Co-ordinator at Hunter New England Health, Nicole Coleman said the key message for this year’s Organ Donor Awareness Week is that each and every one of us has the power to save lives.
“Every Australian can impact the lives of so many people: the person waiting for a transplant and their family, as well as the donor's family. It doesn't matter who you are or where you live, you can change our world by becoming an organ donor,” Nicole Coleman said.
“Talking about the issue and registering to become a donor on the Australian Donor Register will make the donation of organs possible. If someone hasn’t registered or told their family, there is very little that we can do”.
“This is why we encourage all families to discuss their decision today because the only avenue to assist people dying of organ failure is to increase the percentage of potential donors who become actual donors,” said Nicole.
John Hunter Hospital is one of 22 major Australian hospitals involved in the National Organ Donation Collaboration (NODC) to increase organ and tissue donation rates by redesigning and improving their systems.
“This involves our staff developing ‘best practice’ in identifying potential donors and providing families with appropriate information and support. These strategies have resulted in John Hunter referring the highest number of donors for any NSW hospital,” said Nicole.
“At John Hunter, we had eight multiple organ donors in 2006, which was the highest for any hospital in NSW. Australia had a total of 202 donors last year and 49 of those were from NSW. This resulted in 368 kidney transplants, 161 liver, 70 heart, six heart/lung, 92 lung, 34 pancreas and seven pancreas islets cells,” Nicole said.
We are also asked to spare a thought for family and friends of donors and celebrate the gift they have given. It is a gentle reminder that each transplant is the direct result of an individual’s last wish to help another person in need.
During ODAW, Nicole will be visiting local shopping centres and John Hunter Hospital with information and the necessary forms to document your wishes regarding organ donation on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Nicole will be at John Hunter Hospital foyer on 20 Feb, Jesmond Stockland on 21 Feb, Kotara Westfield on 22 Feb and Charlestown Square on 23 Feb.
If you want to be an organ donor, tell someone who cares. To register, call the Australia Organ Donor Register on 1800 777 203 or visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
Contact: Kristy Bryant
Phone: 4921 4477 or 0434 609 502