Media Releases

Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is urging young adults to involve themselves in family discussions on organ and tissue donation during DonateLife Week which runs from February 19 to February 26.
"How many of our young people are aware of other family members’ feelings about organ and tissue donation?” Mr Walsh asked today.
“Do they know if a family member wants to be an organ or tissue donor?
“Although more young people are discussing organ and tissue donation, one in two young people do not know their family members' donation wishes,” he said.
“The family will always be asked to confirm the donation wishes of the deceased and families that have discussed and know each other's donation wishes are more likely to uphold those wishes.
“Some young adults still find it difficult to bring up the subject of organ and tissue donation with family members but deciding to actually have the discussion can help normalise the subject and make it OK to talk about,” Mr Walsh said.
“I urge all families to use DonateLife Week to initiate the conversation which will help you be prepared should you ever be asked to confirm a loved one’s donation wishes.
“It will also help your family be prepared should they ever be asked to confirm your wishes. It’s a conversation that could one day save lives.
To assist in engaging family members in discussing organ and tissue donation, an online kit is now available at www.donatelife.gov.au