DonateLife Week: Australians embrace race to register 100,000 extra organ donors

Australians have heeded the urgent call for more organ donors. But the job is far from done — and one age group in particular is being urged to step up.

Tens of thousands of Australians have answered the call to register as lifesaving organ and tissue donors during DonateLife Week.

Organ and Tissue Authority chief executive Lucinda Barry said it had been “terrific” to see so many Australians get behind the Great Registration Race, a bid to add 100,000 extra people to the organ donor registry by the end of August.

“We’d like to thank every single person who has taken a minute to register as an organ and tissue donor,” Ms Barry said.

The Dry actor and transplant recipient Joe Klocek joined the Great Registration Race social media campaign.

High-profile Australians including comedian Urzila Carlson shared photos showing it only takes a minute to register as a donor.

But with 13 million eligible Australians yet to sign up to the register, Ms Barry said there was still work to do.

“Young people aged 16 to 34 represent just 14 per cent of those on the organ donor register, which is a number we’d love to see increase,” Ms Barry said.

Latest ABS data shows the 15 to 34 age group makes up 27.4 per cent of the overall Australian population.

“Our research tells us many young people are happy to register and … believe there is no good reason not to be an organ donor,” Ms Barry said.

“But many have just not got around to registering, don’t know how to register or haven’t spoken to their family about donation.”

Celebrities and sports stars were among those backing the Great Registration Race, posting pictures to social media to encourage followers to register.

“We’re so proud to be getting the message out about just how quick and easy it is. It took me less than a minute to do it on my phone,” Melbourne Storm star Nicho Hynes said.

Melbourne Storm star Nicho Hynes joins the Great Registration Race for DonateLife Week.

About 1800 Australians are awaiting a life-changing organ transplant.

Sandi Mitton said her family would be forever grateful to the donor who saved the life of three-year-old son Max, who received a liver transplant at 19 months old.

She said Max had been an otherwise healthy and happy toddler when he suddenly came down with a mystery illness that led to acute liver failure.

Max, from Hamilton in southwestern Victoria, was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital, where his condition deteriorated and he was put on the waiting list for a liver transplant.

Five days later, as Ms Mitton was preparing to donate part of her own liver to her son, a donor match was found.

“We were so excited that we had this donor liver, but the other side was that another family was going through a heartbreaking time for us to be given this gift. It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Ms Mitton said.

“We are just so grateful that Max was given that gift of life in such a hard time for them.”

Max Mitton, 3, received a lifesaving liver transplant at 19 months old. Picture: Penny Stephens

Ms Mitton said she and husband Jake could see the difference the transplant made to their son’s health almost immediately.

“He was so jaundiced and yellow when he went into surgery and I couldn’t believe it when we saw him, how different his colour was just for having that liver for such a short amount of time — it was already working,” she said.

Ms Mitton said Max was now as fit and healthy as any other three-year-old.

“He’s running around, talking, laughing, playing; he’s obsessed with anything with wheels, loves camping, his dog and his big brother Lenny,” she said.

“We often find ourselves looking back at photos of Max in hospital and still can’t believe what happened and how it happened and where he is now — it’s amazing.”

Broncos players Jake Turpin, Brodie Croft and Kobe Hetherington share the message that it takes only a minute to sign up as an organ donor.

Ms Barry it was critical that people discuss their organ donation wishes with their family, because their loved ones would ultimately need to provide consent to donation.

“(A quick conversation) can prepare your family so they are comfortable making the decision for you. It also means they need to make one less difficult decision during an intensely emotional time,” she said.

To check whether you are registered, visit donatelife.gov.au/check. If not, get your Medicare card and sign up in one minute at donatelife.gov.au/register