For Australians awaiting an organ transplant, a promising milestone has been achieved. As of January this year, a 12-month rate of 510 donors has provided 1451 transplant recipients with a second chance at life.

ShareLife Australia congratulates the Federal Government and the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) for achieving a continual increase for almost two years since April 2015 when the 12-month rate was 367.

Donation and transplantation rates have steadily increased following a national inquiry into the management of the 2008 National Reform Plan, announced in April 2015 by former Assistant Minister for Health, Fiona Nash.

Marvin Weinman, ShareLife Australia Co-founder, says the achievement is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of ShareLife Australia and other key stakeholders who continue to work to provide Australians with a world-class organ donation system.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the generosity of donors and their families, doctors, nurses and hospital administrators who are increasingly focusing on the role of hospitals and adopting leading practice in organ donation”.

Professor Allan Glanville, Director Thoracic Medicine and Medical Director Lung transplantation at Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital, believes this significant increase in donation rates is evidence of what can be achieved when key stakeholders work together.

“The combined efforts by the Australian Government, including the OTA and state-based organ donation organisations, informed hospital administrators and dedicated doctors and nurses, highlights the importance of well-managed in-hospital organ donation programs.”

Brian Myerson, ShareLife Australia Co-founder says that ShareLife will continue to work hard to help increase organ donation rates across Australia.

“We will continue to help deliver Australians the world-class organ donation system they were promised, by raising awareness and responsibility of local health district boards to adopt world leading practices into our hospitals.

“The OTA has made significant progress in the past 21 months, and we look forward to continue working with them to help bring Australia into line with those countries leading in organ donation and transplantation.” Mr Myerson concluded.

Media enquiries to:
Lauren Neave | 0425 259 885 | lneave@buchanwe.com.au
Rebecca Hands | 0424 804 455 | rhands@buchanwe.com.au