A friend of mine reminded me recently that simply having a driver’s licence doesn’t mean that you’ve been properly entered for organ donation. It’s a step that so many Australians should — but don’t — make.
Back when I got my driver’s license, the organ donation question was a standard part of the paperwork, and I ticked it quite happily. If the headline didn’t make it apparent, I’m all in favour of my organs, such as they are, being used to save lives once I no longer need them. That’s no longer the case, however, and hasn’t been for some time.
It’s clearly a personal choice, but, as the Australian Government’s Organ And Tissue Authority’s video makes clear, it’s one that can save not one, but many lives, irrespective of whether you think that you’re too young, too old or too unwell. As noted, the optimal situation for organ donation happens when death occurs in a hospital, but this is a relatively rare event.
Even if you do pass away outside of a hospital environment, there’s tissues that can be donated to save lives, or improve the quality of life for those on transplant waiting lists.
Australia does quite well in terms of organ donation willingness, with a claimed 76 per cent of Aussies willing to donate either organs or tissue upon their death, but there’s always room for improvement.
The other critical factor here is discussing your choices when it comes to organ donation, because they will be consulted as to the veracity of your choice at a point where you’re no longer present.
Facts and Statistics [Donate Life]
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