Last year Toowoomba experienced an increase in donor registrations, with around 1124 new organ and tissue donors. This year, DonateLife Week is aiming to double the number of registered donors.
Organ and tissue donation is the life-saving and life-transforming medical process where organs and
tissues are transplanted from a recently deceased person, to a very ill or dying person because one of
their organs is failing.
The organs that can be transplanted include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Tissues that
can be donated include skin, heart valves, cornea and bones. An organ and tissue donor is someone
who has registered to donate their organs and tissues when they pass away.
“The decision to donate organs and tissues is an act of  extraordinary generosity,†Darling Downs Health
 Donation Specialist Nurse Liz Hill said. “If every  registered person finds at least one friend to register on  the Australian Organ Donor Register, we would double  the number of registered donors.â€
DonateLife Week is held 28 July to 4 August annually to inspire all Australian’s to make a real difference to the lives of others by registering to be an organ and tissue donor. “We want to inspire all Australians to register and tell their family they want to be a donor,†Ms Hill said.
“One-by-one is how we’ll make that difference.”
“Registering your decision during your lifetime takes all the stress out of the decision for families. People can feel sure of the decision, knowing they are honouring their final wish.
“Registration is easy and takes less than a minute. All that is required is your Medicare card number.â€
Around 1,400 Australians are currently on the waiting list for a live-saving transplant. For more information about registering as a donor visit www.donatelife.gov.au The generous act of donation has far reaching effects, changing the lives of both transplant recipients and their families.
Submitted by:
Shannon Petersen
Acting Senior Media Officer
Media, Communication and Engagement
Darling Downs Health
