Double lung recipient Imogen Oulton on Sunrise (03/12/07)

Australians want to help, but people are suffering and dying needlessly waiting for a transplant. Our systems are failing us.

The Problem

Registered donors have no say when they die
No central authority for transplants
Conflict of interest with doctors
Donor register often ignored

The Solution - We can do better. No Australian should die needlessly. Australia needs a new approach.

One national organisation for the process
Specialist donor-coordinating doctors
Reimburse hospitals for costs
Training and awareness within hospitals
Consistent public education

Organ recipient Imogen and her family on Sunrise (03/12/07)

The Facts - Nearly 6 million Australians have registered to donate – which is one of the highest rates in the world - We have world-leading success rates (over 90%) - BUT, there were only 202 deceased donors throughout all of Australia in 2006 - In 1989 there were 231 organ donors - Therefore only 698 people benefited in 2006 from this life-saving therapy - There are over 1800 people on the official waiting list. - Over 25% of those on the official list die waiting - In many other western countries their citizens are at least twice as likely to receive an organ transplant than here

 

They were given three options –
1) a heart lung transplant from a child of similar age and size;
2) lungs from a child of similar age and size;
3) adult lungs cut down

Doctors were eager to save Imogen form the frosty and dangerous onset of winter. In the end, she received cut-down adult lungs because there weren't any child donors available.

Sunrise are committed to saving lives and we will be putting a scoreboard up each month on the number of transplants and the progress on the solutions.

More info:
www.imogen.org.au - Imogen's website
ShareLife Australia
Australian Organ Donor Register
Preston James Research Fund  Download PDF

A sample of comments from Soapbox

From bradtaylor75

I am recognized as one of the World's longest surviving heart & double lung recipients. Ever since my lifesaving three way "Domino" transplant nearly 18 years ago I've tried at every occassion to raise awareness & publicity to help promote organ donation. Now, thanks to Kochie & the Sunrise team taking on this issue, I believe many more Australians & my Cystic Fibrosis friends will have a better chance to receive a transplant like I did all those years ago. Thanks Sunrise.

From Frank, Qld

Why doesnt the goverment offer the cost or money toward a funeral  (say $7000) for anyone who is a organ donor whether  there organs are used or not. Myself i would feel a lot better knowing my
family would not have to suffer the expence if i died plus the fact of helping others.  It may be an expensive offer but surely with the cost of anguish to familys waiting,drugs and medical machinery to keep recipents alive it would balance out, who knows after a while we hopefully would have a abundance of organs to offer to others out side of Australia, tell them to come over here and jump on a waiting list they would have to spend money while  they are here waiting, thats got
to be good for the economy.

From Mardi, Qld

I have Cystic Fibrosis. I'm 31yrs old,have a 3 yr old son & have been on the transplant waiting list for 14 months waiting for a heart & double lungs. I'd love for donor registration to become mandatory. Maybe of the polies suddenly became sick & needed a transplant-not knowing if they would see their children grow up-they'd do something about it?????

From Holly, Tas

Why aren't people asked to fill out the organ donation form when they get their driver license? You are asked if you want to be an organ donor when you fill in the paper work to get your license but this does not register you for organ donation. I thought ticking a few boxes as I got my license registered me but a few years later I found out otherwise. Please register here.