Fed: Australians fail to register to donate organs

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2007
Fed: Australians fail to register to donate organs

An audit at 22 Australian hospitals has revealed .. the failure by many Australians
to register their consent for organ donation is preventing donation in one third of suitable
cases.

MARCIA COLEMAN from Australians Donate says it highlights the need for Australians
to register their consent on the Australian Organ Donor Register .. and to obtain an organ
donor card from Medicare.

On the first day of Organ Donor Awareness Week .. Health Minister TONY ABBOTT's echoed
the calls .. saying one person dies every week .. while waiting for a lifesaving kidney
transplant.

He says last year 731 Australians received organ transplants .. from just 202 donors.

AAP RTV krc/tm

KEYWORD: ORGANS (SYDNEY)

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