The Cairns Anaesthetists Association and its members in the Department of Anaesthesia & Perioperative Medicine at Cairns Hospital are strong supporters of DonateLife.

• In 2013, 1,122 Australians received an organ transplant as a result of the generosity of 391 organ donors whose families agreed to donation at the time of their loved one’s death. 77 of these 391 organ donors were from Queensland
• 327 Queenslanders became tissue donors over the same period, transforming the lives of people who received eye tissue, heart tissue, bone and skin tissue
• The number of organ donors in Queensland increased by 60% in the past five years, rising from 48 in 2008 to 77 last year.
• The proportion of deceased organ donors per million of population (dpmp) was 16.5 in Queensland in 2013, compared to the national average of 16.9 dpmp.
• Although three in four Australians have discussed the subject with family members, only 53% of people know their loved ones’ organ donation decisions.
• Importantly, the majority of Australians (96%) who are aware of their family members’ donation decisions indicate that they would uphold these decisions.
• In the last four years since the DonateLife Network was established, there has been a 58% increase in the number of organ donors (391 donors in 2013 compared to 247 in 2009). There has been a 39% increase in the number of transplant recipients (1,122 recipients in 2013 compared to 808 in 2009).
• Organ donation is medically possible in less than one percent of all deaths that occur, but more people can donate tissues, as there are fewer medical restrictions.
• One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of ten or more people. One conversation with your family today could one day save the lives of many.
• Age is not a limiting factor for becoming an organ or tissue donor. Never think you're too old or too ill to become a donor. Each potential donor is medically assessed at the time of death to determine whether donation is possible.
• There are about 1,500 people on the transplant waiting list at any time. About 50 of those waiting are children. In Australia, more than one person will die each week waiting for their organ transplant.
• Australia has one of the highest transplantation success rates in the world. Since 1965, more than 40,000 Australians have received lifesaving or life enhancing organ and tissue transplants.
• Transplant waiting times can vary widely and depend upon availability of suitable organs. Individuals waiting for organ transplants can wait on average 1 to 4 years for their life-saving transplant surgery.
• Since 2005, Queenslanders have been unable to register their donation wishes on their driver’s license.
• Only the Australian Organ Donor Register allows you to register your consent to donate. By telling your family, partners and friends your wishes and registering your consent, you have done the two most important things to ensure your wish to donate will be carried out. Visit www.donorregister.gov.au or phone 1800 777 203.
• Currently there are over 1,722,500 Australians registered on this Australian Organ Donors Register,
• Most of the world religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Jehovah's Witness, and Sikhism support organ/tissue donation and transplantation as an act of generosity merit and benevolence.
• A person's decision to donate organs for transplantation does not allow for removal of organs any other purpose. Additional consent must be given specifically for organ/tissues to be used for science or research.
• More information is available at www.donatelife.gov.au

Have the chat that save lives today!

DonateLife Queensland: Ph (07) 3176 2350. Website: www.donatelife.gov.au