Sharman Stone calls on families to discuss and know their donation wishes
June 20, 2011
Murray residents are being encouraged to talk to one another about tissue donations, especially in the family.
“The DonateLife ‘Know their wishes, OK’ campaign prompts Australians to make sure they know the organ and tissue donation wishes of family members, because the hospital will ask them to confirm the donation wishes of the deceased,” Sharman Stone said today.
“It is essential that people know their family members’ donation decisions if we are to carry out their final wishes accurately, and increase Australia’s consent rate. This is currently at less than 60%.
“Although more Australians are now discussing what they want to do in relation with their organs, 40% still don’t know what their loved ones have decided,” Sharman Stone said.
“In 2010, a total of 309 organ donors saved the lives of 931 Australians. These were the highest donations and transplantations since national records began.
“If more Australians asked and knew the donation wishes of their family we could save or improve the lives of many more Australians on national waiting lists.
“We all need to openly talk about organ and tissue donation and I encourage everyone in Murray to discuss this important subject,” Sharman Stone said.
For more information, visit www.donatelife.gov.au.