At Sunrise we are continuing to follow up a question we have been asking for months. It's an issue close to Kochie's heart, and it's literally close to all our hearts.

It's also something that His Excellency, Governor General Michael Jeffrey, cares deeply about.

Organ donation.

Why is it that in Australia we have only around 200 deceased donors each year – one of the lowest donor rates in the developed world?

 

ShareLife is a foundation dedicated to chasing this answer as well. And to help us all make informed decisions, ShareLife has developed a fact sheet to aid families in the discussion of organ donation.

With some new material, ShareLife is taking the facts to families so they can all make the right decision if the time should ever arrive. 

Donating organs is a generous gift and can become a lifeline, often the only salvation possible, for the critically ill. 

All of the facts being shared by ShareLife are in the PDF (download it below), but here are a couple everyone needs to know.

• FACT: Transplant operations are no longer medical miracles. Transplants are now highly successful, cost-effective treatments with success rates of greater than 90%.   • FACT: Australia’s transplant rate is well below many other developed counties. We are only half as likely to receive a transplant as citizens of many other western countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Spain and the USA.   • FACT: Right now, there is no certainty you, or your family will receive a transplant if you need one.

More info

Register as a donor - NOW! 

ShareLife Australia 

Sharelife factsheet (PDF)

Organ Donation crisis - a new plan

Preston James Research Fund  Download PDF

Please pass on these details to others, discussing them with your family and friends.

Here is a recent email:
My question is why, after signing the organ donor
form and it being witnessed by your ID, can your family overrule your
wishes after your death? Why is it not a legally binding document ? Thanks