Moama’s Melinda van der Sluys is a DonateLife nurse donation specialist for GV Health in Shepparton and said donations in the region didn’t occur often.
“Patients have to die in a specific way to be able to donate and it’s a really rare opportunity to offer donation to a family,” she said.
Mrs van der Sluys worked for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne before taking on the role with DonateLife in September last year.
She takes referrals for potential donations from within the hospital and then assists families if they decide to donate.
She said research suggested organ donations could help with a family’s grieving process.
“Out of adversity from losing a loved one, they’ve been able to help someone else by organ donation,” Mrs van der Sluys said.
“Knowing their death hasn’t been in vain helps with a family member’s grief.”
While most Australians support organ and tissue donation, only one in three are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
But even if you do register, DonateLife stresses how important talking with family and loved ones about your wishes is – because at the end of the day your next of kin makes the final decision.
“Organ donation isn’t really spoken about,” Mrs van der Sluys said.
“It’s not at the top of people’s lists over a family dinner but knowing someone’s wishes can influence the next of kin’s decision over whether they will donate.
“Research has found the next of kin would rather say no if they don’t know what their loved one wants.
“You just don’t know what the next day will bring and you can help someone else or multiple people through donation.”
About 1650 Australians are on the waitlist for an organ transplant and more than 12,000 people are on dialysis – many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant.
With organ donation such a rare opportunity due to all the criteria needing to be met, it makes it all the more important to register and have those important conversations with loved ones.
For information, visit donatelife.gov.au
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