Australia: More join as organ donors

Australia: More join as organ donors

Staff Writer From: Herald Sun January 20, 2011 12:00AM

A BOOM in organ donations saved the lives of almost 300 Victorians last year.

Donor organs from almost 100 people - up from 64 in 2009 - enabled 286 transplants.

Nationally, life-saving transplants were a record high.

Australian and New Zealand Organ Donation Registry chair Graeme Russ said 931 Australians received transplants from 309 donors last year, up from 846 in 2008 and 799 in 2009.

Victoria has 17.7 donors per million people, but this trails Tasmania, which boasts 18.8 per million.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King said Australians who donated organs left a living legacy.

"I want to encourage all Australians to discuss with their families their donation wishes upon their death," she said.

Kidney transplants were the most common last year, followed by liver, lung and heart.

Prof Russ attributed the increase to Federal Government reforms, including a new network of doctors and nurses working in hospitals and a public awareness campaign.

"It comes down to commitment of people in intensive care and emergency departments," he said.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/more-join-as-organ-donors/story-fn6bfmgc-1225991271913