Scalpel's Edge

A surgeon's notes

How to be an organ donor

I recently wrote about what it was like for me to witness surgical organ retrieval for transplantation. It is important that I remind you how to become a organ donor.

AS I write this, only 1198828 Australians have registered to donate. That is only 5.6% (According to ABS population clock). Even taking out children and other inappropriates, that is pretty poor.

There are almost 2000 people in Australia on organ transplant waiting lists at any given time. Some of them will die waiting.

The Australian Organ Donor Register is Australia’s only national organ and tissue donor register and serves as a lifeline to the people on those waiting lists. (Australian Organ Donor Register)

Organ donors are special people

In order to qualify for organ donation, you need to be a very special type of person. You need to have died in a way that hasn’t damaged your organs (head trauma is common). Usually, you need to have died on or near life support, with a beating heart, so that your liver, kidneys, intestine, heart and lungs are in good nick.

Someone needs to consent to donation within a short period of time. It is tough to ask your next of kin to do this, when they are dealing with the grief of your (sudden) death. If you love them, give them a clear idea of your wishes by registering to donate now. There is no better time. Can you guarantee that you won’t be hit by some idiot wielding a big crunchy car this holiday season?

You don’t need to be Mr or Mr fit. You don’t have to fit an age range. You don’t have to be medically perfect. We are undersupplied with transplant organs in this country, and we can use some organs from virtually anyone. Thousands of people are waiting for transplantation, and dying without them. In fact, most transplant units will consider everyone who is appropriate. Transplantation of marginal, or poorer organs is becoming more common, and the boundary of what is acceptable and what is not is moving daily.

The Australian Organ Donor Register

The Australian government has set up the Organ Donor Registry to enable you to give legal consent to organ donation before your death. The system has been a bit haywire in Australia, so remember you are not registered unless you have this card:

AODR-card-front.gif

If you are not sure, then register again. Multiple registrations is a smaller problem than not being on the register at all.

It is important you talk to your family members about your decision to donate. Some families object to the process, despite a well-documented advance directive from the patient. This can mean your organs are NOT able to be used. Make sure you answer all your family’s reservations in advance. Australians can register online using this form.

2 responses to “How to be an organ donor”

  1. Heidi Allen says:

    It’s one of those things you mean to do and never quite get round to it — so have just registered using your form link and it took all of 3 minutes.
    Question — I had thought I was registered already on my NSW Drivers Licence — or is a separate donor card needed as well?

  2. Cris says:

    @Heidi Allen: I am in the same situation. I registered on my VIC license, but I note there is nothing documented on the license. So I figure, it is better to register twice. This donor registry has been set up since I last renewed, and it is preferable to have a national register, as we have a habit of moving around a bit in Aus.

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