Labor today urges all Australians to use DonateLife Week 2015 to have a conversation with their loved ones about organ and tissue donation.
At any one time in Australia there are 1600 people in need of an organ donation and the single most crucial factor in overcoming that waiting list is having the conversation.
A person’s wishes are much more likely to be recognised when they understand and have discussed organ and tissue donation with those close to them.
But sadly, across Australia, too many families still have no idea that their loved ones wish to be organ and tissue donors, and are therefore not equipped to cope with making this decision at such a terrible time.
Since Labor established DonateLife in 2009, organ and tissue donation rates have increased by almost 40 per cent in less than five years.
However, figures released by the Organ and Tissue Authority in February show there were just 378 organ donors in 2014, a drop of three per cent on the previous year.
The slip in donation rates in 2014 is an urgent wake-up call that the reforms require consistent support from all sides. Labor stands with the Organ and Tissue Authority as it continues to implement these vital reforms, and especially so in this week dedicated to having the chat that saves lives.
Have the conversation now. Ask and know your loved ones’ wishes and leave your family in no doubt about your decision to be an organ and tissue donor.