Australia has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the developed world. For over a decade, the number of organ donors has remained static at about 10 donors per million population (dpmp). In 2007 the figure was 9.4 dpmp. Spain has the highest rate in the world at over 33 dpmp. France and the USA have dpmp rates over double that of Australia with 23.2dpmp and 26.9dpmp respectively.
More than 1800 people are currently on the transport waiting list. 20 percent of those waiting for a lung, liver or heart transplant will die before they receive the life saving transplant.
You can help up to 32 people and their families as a Donor. As an Organ Donor you can save up to 10 lives, but your tissue can also be donated to improve the lives of many more. Tissues and organs that can be transplanted include blood, blood vessels, bone and bone marrow, cartilage, corneas, ears, heart, heart valves, hip joints, hormone producing glands (including pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, testes, ovary), intestines, kidney, ligaments, liver, lungs, pancreatic tissue, skin and tendons.
90% of Australians support Organ Donation. Opinion polls suggest that the majority of Australians would donate their organs, with 90% of Australians favouring organ donation. [Newspoll, Opinion Poll, 30 March 2004].
Talking to your family is the most important thing you can do. Nearly half the opportunities for organ donation are lost as families refuse consent, often because they were unsure of their loved ones wishes. Talking about the decision to consent helps families know they are making the right choice and honouring the wishes of their loved ones.
Organ Donation Saves Money. The ongoing medical costs association with transplantation are considerably less expensive than other medical treatments such as haemodialysis. Whilst a kidney transplant has ongoing costs of $11,000 a year in anti-rejection drugs, ongoing dialysis costs on average $83,000 per year. By reducing the waiting list for organ donations millions of dollars would be saved each year that could be redirected into other life saving procedures.
Only about 1% of all people who pass away in hospitals are suitable organ donors. The circumstances that support organ donation are very rare. As it is difficult to sustain viable organs to be considered a potential organ donor a person must have passed away on a ventilator. That’s why it is important to improve our donation rate.
Sources:
Australian’s Donate
Life Gift
Medicare
Department of Health and Ageing