Register online to save lives in the New England Electorate with DonateLife Week

29 Jul 2016

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce is encouraging residents of the New England Electorate to register online to save lives this DonateLife Week, which runs from Sunday, 31 July to Sunday, 7 August.

Mr Joyce said the majority of Australians support organ and tissue donation with 69 per cent of Australians saying they were willing to become organ and tissue donors, yet only 33 per cent of adults had joined the national register.

 

“Many have not registered because they haven’t made time or are unsure about how to register,” he said.

“During DonateLife Week this year, New England Electorate residents are being asked to make the time to register online and to share their decision with family and friends. Registration is important because it leaves your family in doubt of your decision to save lives.”

Increasing rates of organ donation enabled a record 707 Australians to receive lifesaving transplants in the first six months of this year. A new annual record was also set in 2015, of 1,241 organ recipients.

Currently about 1,500 Australians are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, with a further 12,000 people on dialysis waiting for a new kidney.

“If you’re willing to one day save lives as a donor, make sure you join the Australian Organ Donor Register and share your decision with loved ones. And ask them, if they haven’t yet registered, ‘What are they waiting for?” Mr Joyce said.

To register online to save lives visit donatelife.gov.au.

DonateLife Week is Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation and is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority.

To find out how to help #endthewait visit http://www.donatelife.gov.au/end-the-wait-campaign

 

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