Generous Victorians saving the lives of transplant recipients

21 February 2012

DonateLife Week 2012 takes place from 19 - 26 February, with the theme 'Ask and know your loved ones' wishes’.

Speaking at the Victorian launch of DonateLife Week and a new DVD to promote organ and tissue donation, Health Minister David Davis said that donations from Victoria made up nearly one third of the 337 organ donors from across Australia in 2011.

The national awareness week aims to promote organ and tissue donation in Australia and is part of a national program led by the Australian Government's Organ and Tissue Authority to increase organ and tissue donation rates.

Mr Davis said in 2011, DonateLife Victoria co-ordinated 107 organ donors, an increase from the 98 organ donors in 2010.

"In 2011 Victoria achieved a donation rate of 19 donors per million, well above the national rate of 14.9 donors per million," Mr Davis added.

There are around 1,600 Australians on the organ transplant waiting list and some people still die waiting for an organ transplant.

DonateLife Week is a timely reminder for all Victorians to talk about organ donation with their family and friends. A single donor can save or improve up to ten lives.

The Victorian Government is committed to increasing the rates of organ donation in Victoria and has delivered an additional $2.7 million to support increased transplantation and retrieval services to ensure they keep pace with the increasing donation rate.

A wide-ranging Parliamentary inquiry into options and mechanisms to increase organ donation in Victoria is expected to report in the coming months.

The inquiry has had submissions from a large number of individuals and organisations passionate about ensuring that the state continues to increase the number of organ donors and organs available for transplantation to Victorians.

Further information

Further information is available from the DonateLife website. You can register your decision to donate online at the Australian Organ Donor Register, by calling 1800 777 203 or completing a form at any Medicare branch.