CITY of Swan is encouraging residents to join the Australian Organ Donor Register in a collaboration with the Perth bone and tissue bank, PlusLife.
The City is taking part in the PlusLife Corporate Challenge, in partnership with Midland-based PlusLife, WA Police, St John Ambulance, Landgate and St John of God Murdoch.
The Challenge, which runs from July 30 to August 6, aims to increase the number of registered organ and tissue donors in Australia.
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READ NOWSwan Mayor Mick Wainwright said reaching out to the community was a vital step towards lifting national donation rates and saving lives in the process.
“Australians are generous by nature, and statistics show that most are willing to become organ and tissue donors,” he said.
“Registering matters, too. Nine in ten families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor.
“We hope that reaching out to our residents might encourage them to start this discussion with their family and friends, and keep donation rates on the rise.”
Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health Ken Wyatt said while organ donation rates were on the rise, the City’s involvement in spreading the message was invaluable.
“The decision to donate is one of the most selfless acts not only for the person receiving a lifesaving transplant but also to their families, friends and the communities they live in,” he said.
“By registering on the Australian Organ and Tissue Donor Register you are letting your family know your intentions at an incredibly difficult time.
“That’s why it’s crucial that we talk together and raise awareness and acceptance of organ and tissue donation and continue to increase national consent rates in 2017 and beyond.”
PlusLife managing director Anne Cowie said the PlusLife Corporate Challenge aimed to promote the discussion about organ and tissue donor in families.
“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 issue after death, which includes bones, tendons, corneas, heart valves and skin. This lack of awareness impacts on the likely decision family of a recently deceased person will make when asked to consent to donation by their loved one.”
For more information visit www.swan.wa.gov.au/organdonation or www.donatelife.gov.au/decide.
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