Angela Paino, Linda Thomas, Dr Ian Jenkins, Dr Mairead Heaney, Dr Bruce Powell, Sue Barlow, Nita Renwick and seated is surgeon Dean Lisewski.
Camera IconAngela Paino, Linda Thomas, Dr Ian Jenkins, Dr Mairead Heaney, Dr Bruce Powell, Sue Barlow, Nita Renwick and seated is surgeon Dean Lisewski. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Murdoch hospital joins call for more donors to bone and tissue bank

Headshot of Josh Zimmerman
Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

ST JOHN of God Murdoch Hospital has thrown its support behind a push to encourage West Australians to sign-up as donors to the bone and tissue bank PlusLife.

The hospital has joined WA Police, St John Ambulance and Landgate in the PlusLife Corporate Challenge, which encourages workplaces to increase awareness about life-changing bone and tissues donations and bolster the number of people on the registry.

PlusLife managing director Anne Cowie said the campaign aimed to raise community awareness about bone and tissue donation and to promote discussion in workplaces and among families.

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“National statistics show that nine in 10 families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor,” Mrs Cowie said

“But this figure drops to just five in 10 families when the deceased has not registered and relatives are not clear about their loved one’s wishes.

Mrs Cowie said organ donation enjoyed a much higher community profile and that many people were unaware that tissue and bone donation was even possible.

“One deceased tissue donor has the potential to improve the wellbeing, sight and mobility of up to 60 people,” she said.

“There is a significant lack of awareness about the donation of human tissue after death, which includes bones, tendons, corneas, heart valves and skin.

SJOG Murdoch Hospital chief executive Ben Edwards said the PlusLife bone and tissue bank was the hospital’s charity of the year in 2014-15.

“We are keen to continue our support of the important work they do in our communities,” he said.

“Bone and tissue donations can save lives and also have a huge impact on the quality of people’s lives.”

Last year, more than 560 West Australians benefited from donations of bone and tissue.

Grafts are used for patients undergoing life-changing operations, such as surgery to treat spinal deformities, bone cancers, complex joint surgery and treatment of patients with dental and facial bone loss.

Just 36.2 per cent of West Australians are registered organ and tissue donors, compared to two thirds of South Australians, which leads the nation.

To register as a bone and tissue donor, visit https://register.donatelife.gov.au/decide.

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