Monday 16 January 2012
Organ donor rates in the Northern Territory doubled last year, putting the NT third in the country behind South Australia and Victoria with 17.5 donors per million people.
Four families consented for their loved ones to be organ donors in 2011.
Their donations resulted in 12 people across Australia on the transplant waiting list receiving life-saving transplants.
NT Medical Director for Organ and Tissue Donation Associate Professor Dianne Stephens said the decision to agree to organ donation while grieving the loss of a family member is a remarkable act of kindness that changes the lives of other families in a positive way.
She thanked the donor families for their gift of life and encouraged all Territorians to talk with their own families about their organ donation wishes in 2012.
"While we wish that no families were placed in the situation of losing a family member, we hope that those families who find themselves in this situation consider consenting to organ donation so more people on the transplant waiting list receive the gift of life in 2012," Associate Professor Stephens said.
"It can be a tough decision for a family to make but it really is a life-changing experience for not only those who are able to receive a transplant but also for the donor's family knowing they have helped to save several lives."
February 19-26 is DonateLife Week, a national awareness week for organ and tissue donation.
Keep your eye out for events in the NT and discover the facts, make a decision about being an organ and tissue donor, and most importantly tell your loved ones.
For information about DonateLife Week and how you can be involved phone 8922 6190.
Media note: An organ recipient will be available for interview. Meet in the Royal Darwin Hospital foyer at 1.10pm.
Media Contact: Kirsty Reid - 0419 818 414
