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 < Back David Hookes Legacy - Organ Donor January 21st 2004 - NSW Democrat MLC, Dr Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, has made a plea to the people of NSW to take the late David Hookes lead and become registered organ donors. “David Hookes tragic death has given new hope to people in need of an organ transplants. Not only will he remain a cricket legend, his legacy will live on with the most important gift anybody could give to humanity - becoming an organ donor.” “Australia has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the Western world. Only ten people out of one million in Australia are organ donors. The overall rate of organ donation in Australia steadily fell from 12 D.p.M.P. (donors per million population) in 1997 to 10 in 2000. The DpMP rate has remained at ten since,” he said. “The DpMP rate in NSW is the national average, however, they are much lower compared with other states, and particularly South Australia were organ donation rates are 20 DpMP!” Dr Chesterfield-Evans believes that despite Australia’s very high successful transplant rate, relatives of the potential donors are often not aware that their loved one wanted to be a donor. The confusion that results makes it very difficult for the deceased’s wishes to be fulfilled. “Registered Donors should clarify their wishes and resolve any concerns their loved ones may have about the process. As a former surgeon, I know how some people find it difficult to come terms with organ donation. Doctors find it hard to arrange the donation at the last minute, as it causes a lot of angst,” he said. “I have been working closely with NSW Health in developing a new regime to increase organ donation rates in NSW. Organ donation programmes in Spain and South Australia have been successful and should be adopted in NSW,” he said. “Only 1 million Australians are registered donors, and not all those have clearly specified their wishes to relatives. Planning the end of your life is sensible- people plan for their money but not for their bodies. Hookes should be praised and others should consider becoming donors as so many people can be saved”. |
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updated:
February 9, 2004
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