FAST FACT OPTIONS

Did you know?

Australia has a world class reputation for successful transplant outcomes. Australia also has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.

Did you know? 

Almost anyone can donation organs and tissue. Only a few medical conditions may prevent someone from being a donor.

Did you know?

One organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to 10 people and improve the lives of many more.

Did you know?

90% of people support organ & tissue donation but the family consent rate is only 56%?

Did you know?

More than 1700 Australians are currently on the official transplant waiting list for a life-saving donation?

TRUE OR FALSE?

Unless the next-of-kin gives consent organ and tissue donation cannot take place.

(TRUE) This is why it is vitally important to become a DonateLife Family and have this conversation with loved ones.

You don't get a say in which organs and tissue you want to donate.

(FALSE) You can record your wishes on the Australian Organ Donation Register and it is important that you discuss this with family.

Only young, healthy, fit people can donate their organs and tissues.

(FALSE) Age, health and lifestyle are no restriction to donation. 

Doctors won't work as hard to save my life if they know I'm a donor?

(FALSE) A doctor's first duty is to you and saving your life. Organ and tissue donation will only be considered after all efforts fail and you have been legally declared dead.

QUICK STATISTICS

• Australia also has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.
• 90% of Australians support organ and tissue donation.
• 30% of Australians don't discuss their donation wishes with their family.
• 40% of Australians don't realise their family makes the final decision about donation.
• Around 1700 people are on Australian organ transplant waiting lists at any one time.
• On average, people on the transplant list must wait between 6 months and 4 years.
• In 2008, only one third of the demand for organs was able to be met.
• In 2008, the Australian population had 12 donors per million; Spain had 34, the US 24, Estonia 23, Italy 21 and the United Kingdom 15.
• Australia has one of the highest retrieval rates per donor (3.4 organs per donor in 2008).
• Australia's rate of cornea donation puts it in the top five countries for corneal donation rates.
• In 2008, 1096 people donated their corneas. As a result, 1696 people had their sight restored.
• Each year, 3000-4000 skin, heart and musculoskeletal tissues are transplanted.

More info
To join the DonateLife Family or become a DonateLifer visit www.donatelife.gov.au