 Quick links: Fast Facts on CKD I CKD in Australia
Organ Donation in Australia
Currently there are over 1500 people waiting for an organ transplant. Nearly 1,100 of these are waiting for kidneys alone – meaning there are now six times more people waiting for a kidney than any other organ.
Just one person’s decision to become an organ and tissue can transform the lives of 10 or more people.
For those living with end-stage kidney disease, a transplant puts an end to three sessions of dialysis a week to stay alive. It can mean regaining the freedoms to travel, to work, and to care for family without being reliant on a dialysis machine.
However, no matter how efficient the organ donation process, the number of deceased organ donors will never meet the demand, especially for those waiting for a kidney.
More must be done to reduce the barriers to live organ donation as part of this process. By doing so not only will more lives be saved, but in the long term reduce the strain on the health system, as people come off dialysis and move onto a brighter future.
Australian Organ Donor Register - Registration Hotline 1800 777203 freecall
Recording your decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register is voluntary. You must be 16 years or older to register. The Donor Register allows authorised medical staff check your donation decision from anywhere in Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can give that information to your family if you die. Family consent is always needed before donation can go ahead.
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DonateLife™ Australian Government Initiative
DISCOVER facts on organ & tissue donation
Make an informed choice DECIDE to become a donor
DISCUSS your decision with those close to you
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HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF BECOMING AN ORGAN OR TISSUE DONOR?
Everyone has their own reasons for deciding whether to become an organ and tissue donor. It is important that the people close to you understand those reasons.
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Your family need to know your decision because they will be asked to give consent.
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Families that know each member's donation decisions, are more likely to uphold them.
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Families that do not know the wishes of the deceased are much less likely to agree to donation.
Discover the facts and discuss your decision with your family - DonateLife offer a Family Discussion Kit to help.
Organ Donation - Myth busting
- While your age and medical history will be considered, you shouldn’t assume you’re too young, too old or not healthy enough to become a donor.
- All major religions support organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Refer Religion & Support.
- The aged and people with chronic health conditions can be donors. Only a few medical conditions preclude donation of organs.
- People can also donate a kidney or part of their liver while they are still alive, though this is usually restricted to those wanting to transform the life of someone they know.
- A donor's gift and a patient's hopes are in good hands. Australia has a world class reputation for successful transplant outcomes.
- Information for culturally and linguistically diverse audiences (CALD) from DonateLife (19 languages)
Specialised health professionals assess each person at the time of death, to decide which organs and tissue are suitable for donation.
Organ donation - on YouTube
View our reviewed YouTube playlist - a collection of videos, education animations
and patient stories on organ donation and transplantation.
Quick links: Refer to our range of Kidney Health Australia Fact Sheets to provide more detailed information on kidney disease, chronic kidney disease, urinary health, transplantation, organ and tissue donation.
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Email subscribe@kidney.org.au and include your full contact details, or call 1800 4 543639 - 1800 4 KIDNEY and our friendly staff with take down your details. We also encourage you to email ali.hickerson@kidney.org.au - Editor of Kidney Community News with suggestions for articles. We would all love to hear about your path with kidney disease.
DonateLife Week 2013 - Canberra ACT
Photo: The Hon Catherine King MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing with
Kidney Health Australia's National Government Relations Manager, staff and volunteers.
Over 1,000 people were at the DonateLife Week Walk in Regatta Place, Canberra.
See more of organ donation during DonateLife Week 2013> |