Anne Webster, Federal Member for Mallee is encouraging Mallee residents to register to be an organ and tissue donor and tell their family and friends during DonateLife Week 2020.

DonateLife Week, Australia’s national awareness week dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation, will be held from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 2 August 2020. During DonateLife Week, all Australians are encouraged to register to be an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au to have the opportunity to one day change lives.

“An organ transplant doesn’t just save lives, it gives families back their mother, father, sibling, or child or grand child,” said Dr webster. “Register to be a donor online at donatelife.gov.au is easy and takes less than a minute.”

“I know the impact of organ donation first hand due to the lifesaving liver transplant my granddaughter received 6 years ago. Though her surgery was not simple and she had months of further surgeries. She is a thriving 7 year old now.

Traditionally, DonateLife Week is celebrated with community events across Australia, however with social distancing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an enhanced digital campaign will be run this year.

The campaign will feature the stories of donor families, recipients and others touched by organ and tissue donation to demonstrate the huge impact being a donor can have on fellow Australians.

“With 1,700 Australians currently wait listed for a transplant, and a further 12,000 on dialysis, we can do more,” said Dr Webster.

“I encourage everyone to throw their support behind this campaign and talk to your friends, family, colleagues and sporting or community group about registering as an organ and tissue donor”

You can show your support online by sharing information about donation through social media using the campaign hashtag #DonateLifeWeek.

Thank you to all donors and their families who have generously consented to organ or tissue donation.