Do it for Debbie

Debbie was told in May 2005 that she needed a double lung transplant. On 3 June 2005 Debbie commenced home oxygen. On 18 August 2005 she was listed for a double lung transplant … on 29 October 2007 Debbie died waiting …

What we want to achieve today in memory of Debbie

To raise donation rates in Australia so people awaiting transplant do not die waiting

We can do this by:

	telling people about the pressing need for organ donors
	encouraging people to think about registering to become an organ donor
	letting people know how to register to be an organ donor
	informing people that if they die, regardless if they are a registered donor, their family has the final decision
	encouraging people to discuss their decision with their family so if they decide to “give life”, their gift goes on living

Facts

Transplantation saves lives

There are 2 types of transplants – organ transplants and tissue transplants Research shows that more than 97% of Australians say they support organ donation but this is not reflected in the registration rate

You are never too old or too young to donate – the oldest cornea donor was 103 years old

As at 31 March 2008, just over a million people are registered as donors and approximately 4.4 million people have registered an intent to be a donor As at 28 April 2008, the population of Australia was 21,284,980 men, woman and children

If your driver’s licence has a Y for organ donor, this means nothing.. YOU ARE NOT A REGISTERED DONOR

The waiting list

The people awaiting transplant have serious or life threatening illnesses

The majority do not have lifestyle related illnesses

Organ or tissues donation may mean a second chance at life

On 3 Jan 2008 there were 1875 people waiting

One in five of these people will die waiting

The gift that keeps on living

Donor numbers in Australia are have decreased each year since 2005

Last year only 198 people were organ donors

The generous gift from these198 people enabled 626 transplants to occur

Consent

Each state or territory in Australia has it’s own legislation that deals with organ and tissue donation

In essence, the Acts state that a person can choose to be a donor unless the wish is at some stage reversed or your family does not consent

In all cases, your family is asked for consent - over 40% of families say no!

This is why it is important to tell your family of your wishes as it is to register as a donor

The Australian Organ Donor Register

The Donor Register lets people record their decision about becoming an organ and or tissue donor for transplantation

In the event of your death, information about your decision will be accessed from the Donor Register

Medicare is the agency that administers the Donor Register

How to register

To register, you need to complete an Australian Government Medicare registration form

Your signature is required to record your legal consent

You can register online or complete a form and send it to Medicare If you register online, a form will be mailed to you to obtain your signature. Until the Register receives your signed confirmation, only your intent is registered, when your signature is received, your consent is then registered.

What decisions can you register

You can register your consent to organ and or tissue donation for transplantation

Organs that can be donated are heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and pancreas

Tissues that can be donated are corneas, skin, bone and heart values

Registration allows you to choose which organs and tissue you are willing to donate

You can register a decision not to be a donor

Who can register

Persons aged 18 years or over

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can register your intention to donate and you can be a donor if a family member gives consent

Are you registered?

You will receive a card with Australian Organ Donor Register on it if you are registered

If you have a “yes” on your drivers licence, you are not registered, Queenslanders can no longer record their decision on their drivers licence

Tell your family about your decision

Family is a key to increasing organ donation rates in Australia

Your family will be asked about your decision

Tell your family, partner and friends – the more family and friends who know of your decision to donate, the more likely it is that it will occur

Make it easier for your family, register your decision so they are clear about your wishes

Where to from here

Different laws govern organ donation around the world, some countries have an opt-out system where everyone is considered a donor unless they make it known that they don’t want to be one

The Australian government is considering an opt-out system

Presently Australia’s rate of organ donation has been described as “shameful”