Organ donation Melbourne: DonateLife Victoria’s call for more to sign up as state’s donor list drops

The state’s list of organ donors has slipped and hopeful recipients are urging Victorians to help close the gap.

Matt Sarkies, recipient of a new liver in October and friend Angelo Galati, who has been on the wait list for three years. Picture: Supplied

Victorians are being urged to register as an organ donor as the state endures climbing waitlists due to COVID-19.

New figures from DonateLife Victoria revealed the state’s donation rates slipped by a quarter this year, with 113 people donating as of November compared to 162 at the same time last year.

About 1700 people are on the waitlist for a transplant nationwide, with a further 12,000 on dialysis who would benefit from a new kidney.

A DonateLife spokeswoman said the state’s shortage was due to wider impacts of the pandemic.

“In Australia last year there were 80,000 deaths in hospital and only 1309 of those people were potential organ donors. Only 756 of those were consented by family and only 548 of those 80,000 actually became donors,” the woman said.

“Essentially, only about two per cent of 80,000 deceased people can be considered for organ donation.”

Last year, a total of 1683 lives across Australia were transformed by 548 deceased and 239 living donors.

Chelsea Heights resident Matt Sarkies, 30, was on the waitlist for three years before received a lifesaving liver transplant in October.

Sarkies, who was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis as a child, said the procedure changed his “life overnight”.

Mr Sarkies was introduced to Bentleigh resident and liver cancer battler Ange Galati, 52, at the Austin Hospital’s Victorian Liver Transplant Unit.

The Moorabbin Slaughterhouse Gym owner, who holds titles for bench press world champion and Australian bodybuilding champion, has remained on the waitlist for three years.

The friends keep active in the gym together as Mr Galati endures the unknown wait.

DonateLife Victoria urged Victorians to register as a donor and to discuss the decision with loved ones.

“By registering to be an organ donor and telling your family you want to donate, you have the chance to save many lives” the spokeswoman said.

“There is always someone who will need a transplant in Australia … one day it might be you or a family member.”

More Australians are alive today because of organ and tissue donation.

To register, visit donatelife.gov.au.