More Australian organ donors 'needed' | health

26th December 2008

MORE Australians should give the gift of life by signing up as organ donors, Kidney Health Australia says.

The non-profit organisation says while Australia has one of the world's best transplant success rates, it also has one of the lowest organ and tissue-donation rates.

There are 1400 Australians waiting for a kidney transplant.

"The average wait is four years, waits of seven years (are) not uncommon and one death a week on average occurs while waiting for a transplant," Anne Wilson, chief executive of Kidney Health Australia, said in a statement. .

Dr Tim Mathew, medical director at Kidney Health Australia, said kidney transplantation was successful in more than 90 per cent of cases.

People can become a registered organ donor by filling in a form at any Medicare office, calling 1800 777 203, or logging on to www.australiansdonate.org.au

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