2011 - A Great Year for Organ Donation

Monday, January 16, 2012

The results of organ donation for 2011 are now available showing that the generosity of 337 families resulted in more than 1,000 transplants.  The Parliamentary Secretary, The Hon Catherine King, MP, has congratulated the DonateLife network for this pleasing result.

Gift of Life thanks those families for their selflessness at a time of incredible grief.  Their decisions have made a difference to the lives of Australians who would otherwise be facing an uncertain future.  

The ACT again led the way with just over 21 donors per million population (the common statistic used in the organ donor sector).  We thank our donor families and the clinical staff who have worked tirelessly to support those families in respecting the wishes of their loved ones.

The DonateLife Book of Life

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The DonateLife Book of Life: A collection of life-saving and life-changing stories from people touched by organ and tissue donation contains stories of hope about donation written by everyday Australians.

Gift of Life School Awards

Saturday, November 05, 2011
Recently, awards were presented to those colleges represented by large numbers of senior students at the DonateLife Walk which Gift of Life organised in February 2011.  Over 1800 people took part in the walk and the students made up a significant proportion of the participants.

Gift of Life President David O'Leary, accompanied by Vice President Bill Handke, addressed the senior assemblies of six colleges - 

  • St Clare's College
  • Canberra Grammar School
  • Canberra Girls' Grammar School
  • Daramalan College
  • Marist College
  • Merici College 

with a total of around 6,000 students present.  The Colleges were given framed certificates recognising and expressing appreciation for the strong and enthusiastic involvement of their schools at this year's walk.

David O'Leary (l) and Bill Handke (r) present St Clare's certificate to Ellen Stokes, School Captain.

The Walk promotes the need for increased organ and tissue donation.   It encourages people to learn the facts about organ and tissue donation, to discuss it with their families and to know each other's wishes and, after deciding, to sign on to the Australian organ and tissue donor register which is managed by Medicare.  By increasing consent rates, many more Australians lives can be saved.

We warmly congratulate all six colleges on their well deserved awards !

MID POINT REVIEW

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Parliamentary Secretary released the mid point implementation review of Australia's efforts to increase organ donation.  In her press release, Ms King said that the national reform agenda had made significant progress.   

The Government's detailed response to the review was released at the same time and itemises progress in the nine areas of reform.

DONATELIFE GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY SPEAKERS

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Hon. Catherine King, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, recently released a new resource to help Australians overcome barriers to discussing organ and tissue donation.  In launching the resource, Ms King said that it will be a valuable resource.  She noted that it was developed by Gift of Life with a community awareness grant.

Community speakers are urged to undertake volunteer training through DonateLife ACT.  A copy of the resource is available at the DonateLife website