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Organ and tissue transplantation can save lives (heart and liver transplantation), restore function (corneal transplantation) and improve quality of life. Australia has a high survival rate for transplant recipients with around 800 Australians benefiting from successful organ transplantation each year and most enjoying many years of high quality life after their transplant.
There are over 1800 people currently on the transplantation waiting list. The lives of up to 10 people can be dramatically improved by just one donor.
Some people see donation as a great gift to others. Some see it as a sensible, practical thing to do after death. Improved survival rates now mean that most organ or tissue recipients enjoy many years of high-quality life after their transplant.
Most organ and tissue donation occurs after death. Most patients who die can donate tissues such as heart valves, corneas, skin and bone. Organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas are donated by patients who have died from severe brain injury and who are in Intensive Care units receiving artificial ventilation. Some donations (kidneys, liver lobe, bone, and bone marrow) can occur from living donors.
This is the term which is frequently used when patients are certified dead by the demonstration of the irreversible loss of all brain function. This is usually due to a severe brain haemorrhage, severe trauma, or severe lack of oxygen to the brain. Extensive brain death tests are performed by independent doctors before donation takes place.
Yes. There are strict laws governing what brain death means. The legal definition of death includes the irreversible loss of all brain function. This can be assessed by medical tests with great certainty and is very different from coma where some brain function may still be present and where recovery may still be possible.
Organ donation is performed in the operating theatre with all the care of a normal surgical operation. Experienced surgeons and nurses perform the procedures with care and respect.
The surgeons complete the operation as they usually would, restoring the integrity of the body by closing all surgical wounds. The body is not disfigured and families are encouraged to see their relative again. Funeral arrangements are not altered at all.
There is no charge to donor families for organ donation or any other treatment after death has been certified. However, any charges incurred which relate to the patient prior to his or her death remain the responsibility of the family or the estate.
The most frequently donated organs include kidneys, heart, lungs, liver and pancreas, while tissues include cornea (eyes), bone, heart valves and skin. You can specify which organs and / or tissues you wish to donate.
There is no age limit for donating corneas (eyes) after death, but for organ donation the donor's age and medical history are considered. In Australia the oldest donor was an 85 year old who donated their kidneys to two recipients and the youngest donor was a new born baby who donated their liver to save the life of a one-year old child.
Because brain death and organ donation can significantly alter the usual grieving response, special assistance is available if required from the hospital social worker and from the bereavement co-ordinator at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS).
Families should always feel free to contact the hospital specialist or the donor co-ordinator if they have any unanswered questions or problems at any stage, even weeks after donation has occurred.
The ARCBS provide a voluntary, comprehensive bereavement follow-up program. As well there are donor family groups - Donor Family Branch of Transplant Australia (email address for contact) Carol.Ang@transplant.org.au or telephone 02 4784 1995 or see the Transplant Australia branch contact details.
It's most important that you discuss your wishes with your family, partner or close friend. so that they fully understand your preferences. This may make it much easier for them if, at some time in the future, organ donation becomes possible. They will be an important part of the process. They may be asked about your decision to be an organ donor to confirm that you had not changed your mind since you recorded your consent. They may also be asked questions regarding your medical history to determine which organs and/or tissue may be suitable for transplantation. The more family members and friends who know of your decision to donate organs and/or tissue for transplantation the more likely it is that donation will occur. This will also reassure your family and friends of your donation.
If you wish to be a donor you should register with the Australia Organ Donor Registry and also tick your Driver's Licence where possible.
· Visit your local Medicare office, where you can pick up a Donor Register brochure and registration form
· Telephone: 1800 777 203
· www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
Do not assume you can replenish your medication while overseas - particular drugs may not be available or may be counterfeit.
It is best to take sufficient quantities of your required medication with you for your trip, working with your doctor on what you will need with enough repeats to cover your time away. Also ask for a letter from you doctor clearly stating your medication requirements, a list of your medication with the generic names, dosages and your medical history.
This is also an ideal time to check on appropriate vaccinations and prophylactic drugs (eg against malaria), and if you require a travel medical kit.
Don't put all your medication in your on-board luggage, take some with your hand luggage or better still split it up half and half and make certain you have enough to cover you for a few days in case your luggage is lost.
Keep your medication in the original packaging - you are less likely to have a problem with customs and some medications should be kept dark or completely sealed until taken. It may be an idea to check with the embassy of the country to which you are traveling to make certain your medication is not illegal in that country.
Be aware of time zone differences, a second wrist watch with your "local or home time" may be of benefit as (most) medication must be taken at regular intervals.
Plan ahead to avoid en route medical dramas!
This is a common question asked by organ and tissue recipients.
The answer is no, it is against all rules and regulations to find out who your donor was, their name and personal details. All donor/recipient information is highly confidential.
Some people may be told a little information about their donor such as a young male or middle aged woman from a specified state. No further information will be disclosed.
However, you are able to write to your donor family. Please follow the guidelines set out in this website in the Stories and Experience section.
Transplant Australia has no connection with or involvement in the retrieval, distribution, medical records or confidential information in relation to organ and/or tissue donors or recipients.
This is a common question asked by the family and friends of organ and tissue donors.
The answer is no, it is against all rules and regulations to find out the name and personal details of your loved ones recipient. All recipient/donor information is highly confidential.
Some people may be told a little information about their recipient such as a young male or middle aged woman from a specified state. No further information will be disclosed.
However, you are able to write to your recipient. Please follow the guidelines set out in this website in the Stories and Experience Section.
Transplant Australia has no connection with or involvement in the retrieval, distribution, medical records or confidential information in relation to organ and/or tissue recipients or donors.
Transplant Australia is supporting the establishment of a Foundation to raise money for the late V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper's partner Casey and their young children Ella and Bailey.
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Click here to donate to the Transplant Australia Trust - Ashley Cooper Foundation.
Key members of the National Clinical Taskforce into Organ and Tissue Donation presented their final report to the new Labor Government on Thursday, February 14.
Transplant Australia has released the 2007 Annual Report.
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