Save a life: ‘What are you waiting for?’

The blessings and love that come from saving one’s life is beyond words. And the smile that you receive in return is divine!

This week starting from, 31st July, 2016 – 7th August, 2016 is Donate Life Week.

Donate Life Week in NSW was launched on 2 August, 2-16 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith by the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service (OTDS).

The theme this year is: ‘What are you waiting for?’

One of the main speakers at the launch was Rupesh Udani – the father of 7-year-old Deyaan Udani who tragically suffered a brain haemorrhage and became an organ donor during a family holiday overseas in January this year. Deyaan saved the lives of four others.

Rupesh was joined by 9-year-old daughter Naisha who, last year, along with her little brother Deyaan, told her parents she wanted to be a donor after learning about how organ and tissue donation can help others at school.

During Donate Life Week (Sunday 31 July to Sunday 7 August), Australians are being urged to join the Australian Organ Donor, Register online and help end the wait for the 1,500 Australians in need of a life-saving transplant.

For more information about Donate Life Week you can visit www.donatelife.gov.au.

 Organ & Tissue Donation facts:

• Forty per cent of NSW residents are on the Australian Organ Donor Register, despite the majority (78%) regarding registration as important.

• In 2015, donation proceeded in 91 per cent of cases where the deceased was a registered donor- this compared to just 52 per cent where the potential donor had not registered and the family had no prior knowledge of their wishes.

• In NSW last year, a record 127 organ donors resulted in 355 people receiving life-saving transplants.

• More than 1,500 Australians are on transplant waiting lists at any one time.

• Organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives – one donor can save up to 10 lives and improve the lives of many more.

• In Australia, the family will be asked to confirm the donation decision of potential organ and tissue donors before donation can proceed. The most important thing that helps a family’s decision is knowing their loved ones wishes.