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The Waiting Game
What does it feel like waiting for an organ that might never come?
There are roughly 1700 Australians who currently need an organ transplant. Patients tell us what life is like before and after their transplant.
George and his family have had to relocate from Mackay to Brisbane as
he waits for a liver.
Alexis is 19 months old and has needed two liver transplants.
Lee waited 15 weeks and 4 days on the liver transplant waiting list this year.
Can I donate my organs?
Did you know ...
- You can be well into your 80's and still be a suitable kidney and liver donor.
- You can donate your corneas up to 12 hours after death and tissue up to 24 hours after death.
To be a suitable organ donor you have to die in controlled circumstances, usually in an Intensive Care Unit, hooked up to a ventilator. Want to know more? Click here.
Organ donation rates in Australia
PUBLIC SENTIMENT: The majority of Australians are supportive of organ donation.
- 91% of Australians agree organ and tissue donation potentially could save and improve lives.
- 77% of Australians are willing to become organ and tissue donors.
IN REALITY: We have one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.
- Fewer than 60% of Australian families give consent for organ and tissue donation to proceed.
- In 2010 we ranked 13th in the world for organ donation performance (13.8 donors per million).
(Source: Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry (ANZOD) - 2011 Report & DonateLife Facts and Statistics and Performance Update 2011)
Research
The University of Canberra is conducting research to investigate why families say no to organ donation. Want to find out more? Click here.
What does it feel like waiting for an organ that might never come?
There are roughly 1700 Australians who currently need an organ transplant. Patients tell us what life is like before and after their transplant.
George and his family have had to relocate from Mackay to Brisbane as
he waits for a liver.
Alexis is 19 months old and has needed two liver transplants.
Lee waited 15 weeks and 4 days on the liver transplant waiting list this year.
Can I donate my organs?
Did you know ...
- You can be well into your 80's and still be a suitable kidney and liver donor.
- You can donate your corneas up to 12 hours after death and tissue up to 24 hours after death.
To be a suitable organ donor you have to die in controlled circumstances, usually in an Intensive Care Unit, hooked up to a ventilator. Want to know more? Click here.
Organ donation rates in Australia
PUBLIC SENTIMENT: The majority of Australians are supportive of organ donation.
- 91% of Australians agree organ and tissue donation potentially could save and improve lives.
- 77% of Australians are willing to become organ and tissue donors.
IN REALITY: We have one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.
- Fewer than 60% of Australian families give consent for organ and tissue donation to proceed.
- In 2010 we ranked 13th in the world for organ donation performance (13.8 donors per million).
(Source: Australia and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry (ANZOD) - 2011 Report & DonateLife Facts and Statistics and Performance Update 2011)
Research
The University of Canberra is conducting research to investigate why families say no to organ donation. Want to find out more? Click here.
