Speaking on DonateLife Thank You Day at the weekend, the Minister Responsible for Organ and Tissue Donation, Mark Coulton, said the gift of organ and tissue donation was a generous act that was life-changing for another person.
“On DonateLife Thank You Day we stop and give thanks to those who have given someone hope and an opportunity to continue life,” Mr Coulton said.
“In 2019, 1,683 lives were transformed by the generosity of 548 deceased and 239 living organ donors and their families that said ‘yes’ to organ donation. A further 12,000 Australians benefited from eye and tissue donation.”
He said Australia had a world class transplant clinical system, but ultimately the gift of a transplant was not possible without donors and their families.
“Because over 4,500 donors and their families have said ‘yes’ to organ and tissue donation since the national program began in 2009, more than 13,000 transplant recipients and their families say ‘thank you’,” Mr Coulton said.
“For those waiting for a transplant, organ and tissue donation can mean the difference between life and death, being healthy and sick, between seeing and being blind, or between being active and never walking again.”
He said it meant that people could resume an active life with their family, in their workplace, their school and their community.
“Australians of all ages, faiths and cultural backgrounds might one day be in need of an organ or tissue transplant,” the Minister said.
“I encourage all Australians to reflect on the life-changing benefits of organ and tissue donation and to show their support by joining the Australian Organ Donor Register at donatelife.gov.au.”
