Message to donate stronger than ever

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week is a great opportunity to sign up to become an organ donor, says the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

“By donating organs and tissue, you can save up to 10 lives and greatly improve the quality of life of many more patients. But it is important that you discuss your wishes with your family, who will make the final decision on your behalf,” said Dr Vasantha Preetham, RACGP president.

“People need to know they are being treated with dignity if they become organ donors, and your general practitioner can help dispel the myths and apprehension that surround organ donation.

“General practitioners can play a greater role in raising awareness about organ donation and in getting people on to the register. If you wish to become a donor, you should work closely with your doctor to stay healthy – stop smoking, eat better, limit alcohol intake and start exercising.

“There are currently about 1800 people waiting for an organ transplant in Australia. Last year, 198 people had donated organs, which allowed 626 life-saving transplants to be performed. And by the end of May last year 1706 people had donated other tissue and 1260 people had received donated tissue implants.

“Australians Donate, which coordinates Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week, has helped the college to develop an online module, through gplearning, of 25 multiple choice questions on organ and tissue donation for transplantation. This is just one way general practitioners can help to communicate this important message.”

(Source: Erica Fosbender: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: February 2008)