Released 28/02/2017
The ACT Government is delivering on a 2016 election commitment by providing new funding to Gift of Life to help raise awareness of organ and tissue donation.
The funding announcement comes ahead of the annual Gift of Life DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin and will go towards promoting the Australian Organ Donor Register amongst Canberrans and supporting other community awareness activities.
“Each year, hundreds of lives in Australia are transformed and saved through the generosity of organ and tissue donors and their families, with just one organ donation having the ability to transform up to ten lives,” Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris said.
“Today the ACT Government has committed $150,000 to Gift of Life to help them continue their work in the community highlighting the importance of being an organ and tissue donor,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“We know that 88 per cent of families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor, compared with just 52 per cent when the potential donor has not registered or discussed their donation wishes. That’s why raising awareness of organ and tissue donation, signing up and encouraging people to have the conversation with their loved ones is so important.
“The ACT Government will also contribute to establishing a national garden of appreciation at the Arboretum to celebrate the gift donors have passed on and the new life recipients have received,” Minister Fitzharris said.
Now in its eleventh year, the Gift of Life DonateLife Walk provides an opportunity to recognise those touched by organ and tissue donation, including donor families and recipients. The free community event is also a perfect time to start conversations with family and friends about becoming an organ and tissue donor by registering through the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Minister Fitzharris acknowledged the generosity of the 20 ACT organ donors and their families in 2016, who enabled 59 people to receive life saving organ transplants.
“They inspire us all to take the time to register and discuss donation decisions with our loved ones,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“In the latest Organ Donation and Transplantation Outcomes Report 2016, the ACT recorded the highest donation rate per million population (dpmp) of 32.3, a result that was well above the national rate of
20.8 dpmp.
“While the ACT continues to be one of the national leaders in organ and tissue donation, there is still much more we can do to increase awareness and registrations in our community. That’s why this funding is important.”
For more details on the Gift of Life DonateLife Walk visit: www.giftoflife.asn.au, or to learn more about organ and tissue donation phone DonateLife ACT on 6174 5625 or visit www.donatelife.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases
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