AMA Queensland is today urging Queenslanders to discuss organ and tissue donation with their family and friends as part of Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week (21 – 28 February).

AMA Queensland President-Elect Dr Gino Pecoraro said it was essential to discuss your wishes because family consent is required for donation to be carried out.

“Last year 247 organ donors saved or improved the life of 779 Australians,” Dr Pecoraro said.

“But while 80 per cent of Australians support organ donation, one in three don’t know that family consent is required for donation to take place even if you are a registered donor.”

Dr Pecoraro said the family consent rate in Australia was only 56 per cent, mostly because one in two Australians didn’t know the wishes of their family members.

“There are currently 1,742 Australians on the official transplant waiting lists,” he said.

“If all Australians knew their loved one’s wishes, we would have a much higher family consent rate and the opportunity to save more of these lives.

“I urge all Australians this week to have a chat with their loved ones about their wishes.”

For more information, or to download resources to help your family discuss organ and tissue donation, log on to www.DonateLife.gov.au.

AMA Queensland is the state’s peak health organisation which exists to advance the professional interests of doctors and the health of the community. It is an independent organisation which represents 5500 doctors - public and private specialists and general practitioners.

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CONTACT: Susan Peterson on (07) 3872 2209 or 0419 735 641.