A Woodend doctor is urging residents to offer the gift of life to people in danger of dying.
Brooke Street Medical Centre doctor Richard Bills has encouraged people to find out about organ and tissue donation – part of DonateLife’s week-long annual awareness campaign.
About 1600 Australians are on transplant waiting lists at any given time and their chances of survival after a transplant are very good.
Dr Bills said organ donation registrations in Woodend and neighbouring Macedon and Mount Macedon are significantly higher than the state average and other towns in the Macedon Ranges shire.
“We should all think about whether we wish to donate organs and tissue,” Dr Bills said.
“Once we have become informed and made our decision, it’s vital that we both register our decision with the Australian Organ Donor Register and let our loved ones know.”
“This helps family members be confident in supporting the decisions of loved ones, should the situation arise.”
Family permission is required before organ donation goes ahead, regardless of whether the dying or deceased person has registered or not.
Dr Bills said Brooke Street Medical Centre is proud of its contribution to DonateLife awareness-raising campaigns over the past five years.
Residents are urged to discover the facts, decide if they want to register, and discuss organ donation decisions with close family and friends.
Information: www.donatelife.gov.au
