- "If the family is uncomfortable, a donation doesn't occur," says Dr Gerry O'Callaghan, The Organ and Tissue Authority.

As Sunrise host Mel Doyle said today, "There is a massive gap between those who want to donate and those who do donate."

New way forward
Aussies are being urged to discover the facts, decide to become an organ donor and above all discuss that decision with their loved ones.
Australia has a world class reputation for successful transplant outcomes. Australia also has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world.
The PM, Kevin Rudd,  and his family were first to answer the call and become a DonateLife family.
The issue is family consent - you might be on the register, but your family still needs to agree.

Ashley Cooper's organs save six lives
Ashley Cooper's sister Rachel Martin is extremely proud of her brother for the decision he made before his V8 race car crashed, killing him.
"It was a tragedy we didn't see coming."
Cooper had mentioned his plan to his family, making their death-bed decision much simpler.
"I could not imagine having to do it not knowing what his wishes were."
Rachel wants all families to know the wishes of each person, "come that time for families, they do know."
The consequences of Ashley's generous decision are widespread.
Thanks to his donations of organs and tissue, "he directly saved the lives of six people."


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The Wallis family's lives were touched deeply by the issue of organ donation.
David and Lisa Wallis will forever be thankful to the family who released the organs for donation that went on to save their oldest child Lachy.
Lachy was born with a condition that "required surgery when he was 52 days old."
Lachy was born with a disorder which caused cirrhosis of the liver and this led to a secondary condition, hepatopulmonary syndrome, which restricts oxygen flow to his lungs.
At nine years old, his condition deteriorated.
Mr Wallis remembers the fear they all felt that they might lose their little boy. "It was one of those moments in your life and you're thinking you know what you need but the thought of whats good to happen to receive a donor," Mr Wallis said.
Lachy received a liver transplant earlier this year and now lives a happy, healthy life.
"We are so thankful that we've got the ability to do those things."
Such was the thanks Lachlan's mother felt for the donation of a life-saving organ, that, still in tears, she wrote a letter to the donor family even while Lachie was still in surgery.

More info
donatelife.gov.au