Kidney Health Australia today said the strategy and funding announcement by Federal Government to improve organ donation would provide a major boost for Kidney Patients who are forced to wait an average of four to six years on dialysis for a transplant.  Read more>.  

Anne Wilson, the CEO of Kidney Health Australia. said the announcement today by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, is not only important because of extra funding, but vital, as it signalled a whole new approach to managing the sensitive issue of transplantation with a comprehensive package of initiatives. She described the new organ transplantation initiatives as one of the most significant reforms for kidney patients on dialysis for the past decade.

"Importantly this will greatly assist in boosting the number of transplantations and help cut the cost of kidney disease in Australia. Dialysis costs Australian hospitals $83,000 per person per year, compared to the cost of a kidney transplant - $65,000 per recipient for the first year and $11,000 a year each year following."

Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia said, "there are some 1800 people waiting on the organ transplant list. Around 60% of all organ transplants carried out relate to the kidney. From a medical practitioner's point of view, the initiatives announced by the Federal Government will complement the work already being done in our hospitals, with hospitals being better resourced to greatly improve the quality of life of many Australians and their families" Dr Mathew said.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant and growing public health problem, responsible for substantial burden of illness and premature mortality. In Australia, it is a fact that:

• 1 in 3 adults are at increased risk of developing CKD
• 1 in 7 adults have at least one clinical sign of existing CKD
• A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms
• Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
• Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day
• 11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with, kidney failure
• Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive dialysis or transplantation to stay alive
• Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular causes before requiring dialysis or transplantation
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience excessive death and disability due to CKD.

The Australian Organ Donor Register  enables people to record their decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after their death.

The Australian Organ Donor Register is not for the purpose of recording decisions about donating organ and tissue for scientific research purposes or for the manufacture of biological medical products.  Only people aged 18 years and over can register their legally valid consent or objection on the Australian Organ Donor Register.  If you are 16 or 17 years old you can still register your intention to donate by completing and returning the form at the back of this brochure.

Who can donate organs and tissue?

People aged less than 18 years can become organ and tissue donors, although consent will need to be obtained from a family member at the time of death.  Anyone can donate organs and tissue – there is no age limit on the donation of some organs and tissue.  While your age and medical history will be considered, you shouldn’t assume you are too young, too old or too unhealthy.

Remember to tell your partner, family or friends about your decision as evidence has repeatedly illustrated that if your intent about organ donation is known, then your family has a far easier task.  If they do not know, they are left with complex decision making process, at an already very difficult time.

• Register online
• Download a registration form (97k) 
• Visit your local Medicare Office, to pick up a Donor Register brochure and registration form
• Organ Donor Registration Hotline 1800 777203 freecall (8.30 am - 5 pm business hours)
• Request a registration form to be mailed to you, email your full name and postal address to 
  aodr@medicareaustralia.gov.au

If you wish to change any of your registration details, you can change your details on the Donor Register by:

• downloading a new registration or change of details form (97k) 
• picking up a new registration or change of details form from any Medicare Office
• calling 1800 777203 or contacting us by email aodr@medicareaustralia.gov.au

Without one of these cards, your decision is not recorded with the Australian Organ Donor Register. The Donor Register is the only national database for recording decisions about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after death.

This card shows that you are correctly registered with the Australian Organ Donor Register.  You have consented to donate your organs and/or tissue, and you have verified this decision with your signature.