DONOR Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I donate my organs and tissue?
For people with very serious or life-threatening illnesses, an organ or tissue transplantation could be their means to a second chance at life. Over 30,000 Australians have received transplants in the last 60 years. Improved survival rates now mean that most organ or tissue recipients enjoy many years of quality life after their transplant. Simply by choosing to record your intention to donate organs or tissue on the Donor Register, you could help up to 10 other people. The tragic death of cricketer David Hookes more than amply demonstrated this fact.
Which organs and tissue can be donated?
Organs: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas.
Tissue: corneas (eyes), heart valves, skin, bone.
Facts about donations in Australia
In 2004 there were 218 organ donors from whom 783 people received transplants. In 2003 there were 179 organ donors, from whom 619 people received transplants. In 2004, 20% of people waiting for a donor organ died before receiving their life saving transplant. As at December 30 2004, 5,131,067 Australians were registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. In 2004 the average age of organ donors in Australia was 42.7 years old. From 1989 until 2004, 40% of organ and tissue donors were female and 60% male. Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) caused 48% of all organ donor deaths and road accidents caused 26%. A major provisor is that organ and tissue donations cannot proceed if the deceased is found to have Hepatitis A, B, C or HIV/AIDS, or disease of the organ intended for donation (inc cancer) or having had a history of melanoma.
What is the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR)?
The AODR was established in 2000 as a confidential list of all Australians who have recorded their intentions regarding organ and tissue donation, that is whether to donate or refrain from donation. The AODR is managed by the Health Insurance Commission (HIC), which is also responsible for Medicare. The HIC does not organise transplants and has no involvement in deciding who should receive organ or tissue transplants. If you die in circumstances where organ and tissue donation is possible, authorised medical personnel who have signed confidentiality agreements can access the AODR after your death and inform your family of your wishes.
Are there age restrictions for registering as an organ donor?
From 1 July 2005 the AODR will record the consent of adults and will continue to record the intention of those aged 16 and 17 years. For legal reasons, Australians under 16 years of age will not be able to register on the AODR.
Can my family override my wishes?
From 1 July 2005, the AODR will record the legally valid consent of Australian adults. If organ and/or tissue donation is being considered, clinicians will consult the AODR to determine whether you have recorded a decision about organ and tissue donation. If you have registered your consent (or objection) to organ and tissue donation, your family will not be asked to make a difficult decision. Rather, your family will be asked to confirm that you had not changed your mind since recording your consent on the AODR. If your family maintains a sincerely held objection, organ and tissue donation will not proceed. If you are under the age of 18 or have not recorded your legal consent on the AODR, the consent of your family will still be required for donation to proceed.
I become an organ donor, will my organs and tissue be used for research purposes?
No. Separate and specific permission is required for donated organs and tissue to be used for research purposes. Donated tissue and organs will not be used for medical research unless explicit written permission is granted.
Who can donate organs and tissue?
Anyone can choose to donate organs and tissue. While your age and medical history may need to be considered at the time of donation, you should never assume that you aren't healthy enough or that you're too old. People up to 90 years of age can donate some organs and tissue.
When can organ and tissue donation occur?
Less than 1 per cent of deaths occur in such a way that organ donation is possible. For organ donation to take place, a person must die in hospital, from a major brain injury, and must be attached to a ventilator (a machine which supports breathing) when they die. The person must be declared "brain dead" according to strict criteria, which are outlined in legislation. Brain death occurs when the heart stops functioning without the help of a ventilator and there is no possibility of recovery. For tissue donation, it is not necessary for death to have occurred in a hospital. Tissue donation can also take place after "circulatory death", or when the heart has stopped beating. In both cases donation can take place only with the consent of the next-of-kin.
How are organs and tissue removed?
Removal of organs and tissue is no different from any other surgical operation, and is performed by highly skilled surgeons in an operating theatre. The donor body is treated with respect and dignity at all times. The donation of organs and tissue does not alter the shape of the body.
What if I%27m already registered as a donor elsewhere?
HIC has been working with the state Road Transport Authorities to ensure that the information held on those state registers is moved across to the Donor Register. If you have ticked the box on your driver's licence, your intentions will have been recorded on the Donor Register.
Carrying a Kidney Health Australia card does not mean that your wishes are recorded on the Donor Register.
Who can access the information held on the Donor Register?
Information recorded on the Donor Register can be accessed via a secure Internet site only by authorised medical personnel, who have signed confidentiality agreements. They are authorised by a management committee comprising representatives from HIC, the Department of Health and Ageing and state organ donation agencies.
For people with very serious or life-threatening illnesses, an organ or tissue transplantation could be their means to a second chance at life. Over 30,000 Australians have received transplants in the last 60 years. Improved survival rates now mean that most organ or tissue recipients enjoy many years of quality life after their transplant. Simply by choosing to record your intention to donate organs or tissue on the Donor Register, you could help up to 10 other people. The tragic death of cricketer David Hookes more than amply demonstrated this fact.
Which organs and tissue can be donated?
Organs: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas.
Tissue: corneas (eyes), heart valves, skin, bone.
Facts about donations in Australia
In 2004 there were 218 organ donors from whom 783 people received transplants. In 2003 there were 179 organ donors, from whom 619 people received transplants. In 2004, 20% of people waiting for a donor organ died before receiving their life saving transplant. As at December 30 2004, 5,131,067 Australians were registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. In 2004 the average age of organ donors in Australia was 42.7 years old. From 1989 until 2004, 40% of organ and tissue donors were female and 60% male. Cerebrovascular accident (stroke) caused 48% of all organ donor deaths and road accidents caused 26%. A major provisor is that organ and tissue donations cannot proceed if the deceased is found to have Hepatitis A, B, C or HIV/AIDS, or disease of the organ intended for donation (inc cancer) or having had a history of melanoma.
What is the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR)?
The AODR was established in 2000 as a confidential list of all Australians who have recorded their intentions regarding organ and tissue donation, that is whether to donate or refrain from donation. The AODR is managed by the Health Insurance Commission (HIC), which is also responsible for Medicare. The HIC does not organise transplants and has no involvement in deciding who should receive organ or tissue transplants. If you die in circumstances where organ and tissue donation is possible, authorised medical personnel who have signed confidentiality agreements can access the AODR after your death and inform your family of your wishes.
Are there age restrictions for registering as an organ donor?
From 1 July 2005 the AODR will record the consent of adults and will continue to record the intention of those aged 16 and 17 years. For legal reasons, Australians under 16 years of age will not be able to register on the AODR.
Can my family override my wishes?
From 1 July 2005, the AODR will record the legally valid consent of Australian adults. If organ and/or tissue donation is being considered, clinicians will consult the AODR to determine whether you have recorded a decision about organ and tissue donation. If you have registered your consent (or objection) to organ and tissue donation, your family will not be asked to make a difficult decision. Rather, your family will be asked to confirm that you had not changed your mind since recording your consent on the AODR. If your family maintains a sincerely held objection, organ and tissue donation will not proceed. If you are under the age of 18 or have not recorded your legal consent on the AODR, the consent of your family will still be required for donation to proceed.
I become an organ donor, will my organs and tissue be used for research purposes?
No. Separate and specific permission is required for donated organs and tissue to be used for research purposes. Donated tissue and organs will not be used for medical research unless explicit written permission is granted.
Who can donate organs and tissue?
Anyone can choose to donate organs and tissue. While your age and medical history may need to be considered at the time of donation, you should never assume that you aren't healthy enough or that you're too old. People up to 90 years of age can donate some organs and tissue.
When can organ and tissue donation occur?
Less than 1 per cent of deaths occur in such a way that organ donation is possible. For organ donation to take place, a person must die in hospital, from a major brain injury, and must be attached to a ventilator (a machine which supports breathing) when they die. The person must be declared "brain dead" according to strict criteria, which are outlined in legislation. Brain death occurs when the heart stops functioning without the help of a ventilator and there is no possibility of recovery. For tissue donation, it is not necessary for death to have occurred in a hospital. Tissue donation can also take place after "circulatory death", or when the heart has stopped beating. In both cases donation can take place only with the consent of the next-of-kin.
How are organs and tissue removed?
Removal of organs and tissue is no different from any other surgical operation, and is performed by highly skilled surgeons in an operating theatre. The donor body is treated with respect and dignity at all times. The donation of organs and tissue does not alter the shape of the body.
What if I%27m already registered as a donor elsewhere?
HIC has been working with the state Road Transport Authorities to ensure that the information held on those state registers is moved across to the Donor Register. If you have ticked the box on your driver's licence, your intentions will have been recorded on the Donor Register.
Carrying a Kidney Health Australia card does not mean that your wishes are recorded on the Donor Register.
Who can access the information held on the Donor Register?
Information recorded on the Donor Register can be accessed via a secure Internet site only by authorised medical personnel, who have signed confidentiality agreements. They are authorised by a management committee comprising representatives from HIC, the Department of Health and Ageing and state organ donation agencies.