Why Wouldn't You' campaign aims to increase organ and tissue donors

13/10/99

Premier Richard Court has today launched a public awareness campaign aimed at almost doubling the number of organ and tissue donors registered in Western Australia.
The launch of the 'Why Wouldn't You' campaign follows the recent establishment of a new agency to tackle Western Australia's low rate of organ and tissue donation, DonateWest.
Mr Court said the campaign was designed to encourage individuals to register as an organ and tissue donor, and ensure that their family was aware of the decision.
"There are hundreds of people on organ and tissue donor waiting lists awaiting the gift of life - yet Western Australia has the lowest organ donation rate in Australia, " he said.
"Some 35 per cent of the adult population are registered donors and the aim of the 'Why Wouldn't You' campaign is to increase the number of registered donors to 60 per cent."
In 1998, 73 people who died in WA were donors and suitable for transplantation. Their donations helped more than 450 people.
Mr Court said that as part of the campaign, all driver's licence renewal forms would have an attached leaflet on donation and transplantation to encourage people to register as donors when they renewed their licences.
More than one million leaflets will be distributed over the next two years.
A television campaign will highlight a telephone number that people can call to register as a donor. The number is 1800 808 804.
Amcal pharmacies will also promote organ donation registration in all stores.
Mr Court said it was also important for people to recognise that registering as a donor was only the first step.
"It is crucial that they discuss their decision and let family members know what their wishes are as they will be asked to consent to the donation," he said.
"The decision to be a donor needs to be made and discussed before a death and not in the midst of grief in a hospital.
"I would urge as many Western Australians as possible to seriously consider becoming a registered donor and therefore improve the lives of others in the community."
Media contact: Casey Cahill, 9222 9475