Oren Klemich praises Stevens family for encouraging discussions about organ and tissue donation

One of Australia’s most prominent organ donation advocates has praised the Stevens family for using their family tragedy to encourage discussion of the topic.

One of Australia’s most prominent organ donation advocates, whose son’s organs have kept three people alive to this day, has praised the Stevens family for encouraging discussion of the topic.

Accompanying the heartbreaking public letter Police Commissioner Grant Stevens wrote about his son Charlie – who was killed in an alleged hit-run near Schoolies on Friday night – was a note posted on Facebook about organ donation.

“In honour of 101 (Charlie’s was the 101st life lost on the state’s roads this year), the family would also like to raise awareness on the importance of organ donation and ask those reading this to talk about organ and tissue donation with your family and friends,” it said.

“To register for organ donation is easy, go to www.donatelife.gov.au.”

The Stevens family in 2015 – clockwise from front left Charlie, then 9, Emma, Sophie, 19, Dylan, 20, Josh, 18, and Tom, 12 and Grant. Picture Dean Martin

Organ and Tissue Authority board member Oren Klemich lost his 18-year-old son Jack in 2009 to meningococcal disease.

Mr Klemich told The Advertiser, only minutes after reading Mr Stevens’ public letter, that it had brought “a tear to my eye”.

“(Since) we heard the news on Saturday, we’ve been flat as a tack since,” Mr Klemich said.

“It’s knowing the shock, grief and pain that the poor Stevens family, and all of Charlie’s mates, and everyone that knew him, are suffering and going through.

“Reading the letter is a lovely reminder of our gorgeous Jack and the hearts of the Klemich family go out to the Stevens family.”

Mr Klemich said it was important to keep raising awareness of organ donation.

“Through the horrendous grief of that time, if there is anything positive that has come out of this death, it is the fact that our healthy young son was a registered organ donor.

“We know today that four different people received Jack’s organs and Jack’s gift 14 years ago has kept three Australians live today.”

Oren Klemich, whose son Jack died from meningococcal, said it was important to keep raising awareness for organ donation. Picture: Tom Huntley

He said most South Australians, more than 70 per cent, were registered.

“For those who aren’t so sure, I would say if you’re rushed to hospital with a life-threatening illness and the doctors said, ‘Your only chance of survival is a new liver’, and one became available, would you take it? To live a normal life again?

“You’re genuinely confronting death, and you’re offered a second chance with someone else’s liver – would you take? I think nearly 100 per cent would say yes.

“If you’re prepared to take someone else’s liver, why wouldn’t you be prepared to give one?”

“I don’t disrespect anyone who says no, but … what is the point of burying perfectly healthy organs?”

Health Minister Chris Picton said he was “incredibly moved” by the Stevens’ letter and urged South Australians to register as a donor or update their details.

“I thank Grant and Emma for highlighting the importance of organ donation at this difficult time,” Mr Picton said.

“It is a credit to the incredible people that Grant and Emma are that amidst unthinkable tragedy, they have helped to spread this important message. I hope that their message can be the spur for thousands of dinner table conversations tonight about organ donation, both telling your family your intentions and signing up to the register.”

Mr Picton also said that seven lives could be saved by one organ donor.

Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney encouraged all Australians to become organ donors.

Federal Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said her “heart went out” to the Stevens family.

“Charlie’s family want to raise awareness about organ donation, such a commendable thing to do,” she said.

“I join them in calling on all Australians to register to become an organ donor – and don’t forget the vital step of telling your family your wish to be an organ and tissue donor. A great big thank you to Charlie’s family for their generosity at such a difficult time.”

In September, leader of the opposition in the upper house Nicola Centofanti introduced a bill which would allow organ donation to be recognised on a person’s death certificate and corresponding register.

“The decision to donate is an incredible gift, with organ and tissue donations transforming and saving many lives in South Australia each year,” Ms Centofanti said on Tuesday.

“My heart goes out to the Stevens family, and others facing the difficulty of losing someone special, but I applaud their bravery in speaking out about organ donation and the positive life-changing impact it can have on others.”