Talking about organ and tissue donation Your organisations

Talking about organ and tissue donation [Your organisation’s logo and name can be inserted here]

One organ and tissue donor can save and improve the lives of many people.

Why do people need a transplant? Ken, Corneal transplant recipient 3 Eda, liver recipient, with baby Elizan Joel, Heart recipient

The situation Around 1, 400 Australians are waitlisted for a transplant at any one time. A further 11, 000 patients are on dialysis, many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant. 4

Who can become a donor? § Almost anyone can donate § Don’t assume you are too old, too young or not healthy enough § People who cannot donate organs may still be able to donate tissue § Most religions support organ and tissue donation § Living donors can donate a kidney or partial liver

What can people donate? ORGANS TISSUE KIDNEYS CORNEAS LIVER HEART VALVES HEART PANCREAS ISLETS LUNGS SKIN PANCREAS BONE INTESTINE TENDONS LIGAMENTS

When can donation occur? 1. Donation after brain death - when a person’s brain permanently stops functioning 2. Donation after Circulatory Death - when a person’s heart permanently stops working 3. A living organ donor is someone who donates a kidney or partial liver to another person. 7

Australia’s donation and transplantation outcomes

Living Donors

Comparing international organ donation outcomes

Jurisdictional donation rates 2017 National rate: 20. 7 dpmp

Donation is a shared responsibility To optimise every opportunity to save and transform lives through donation, we encourage all families to: 12

Why we need to start talking? § The majority of Australians (71%) regard family discussion about donation decisions as important. § 51% of Australians surveyed have discussed their donation decisions with their family. § 53% of Australians are unsure or do not know the donation decisions of family members. § We need to normalise family discussion about organ and tissue donation.

Why registration and family discussion matters

What are you waiting for? The majority of Australians are willing to one day become donors and believe it is important to register their donation decision. One in three have registered. 15

Takes less than a minute, saves lives The Australian Organ Donor Register is the only national register for people to record their donation decision. Register at www. donatelife. gov. au 16

Get involved § Ask your friends if they have discussed their donation decision with their next of kin. § Become a volunteer or member of a community organisation or Donate. Life agency. § Organise a speaking event in your community and distribute Donate. Life factsheets and resources. § Take part in Donate. Life Week, the annual awareness week which is held in July/August. § Follow Donate. Life on social media – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. § Display Donate. Life posters and brochures in your community and start a discussion. § Discuss with your workplace/sporting organisation about becoming a Donate. Life Partner.

For more information and resources www. donatelife. gov. au Indi had a liver transplant at seven months old. Indi is now a happy and healthy five year old, thanks to the generosity of her donor and their family. 18