Recorded: 10/07/2024
Guest: Oren Klemich
Welcome to a transformative episode of the Different Conversations Podcast, where we explore the life-affirming journey of organ donation. In this episode, we're joined by Oren Klemich to discuss the profound impact of this generous act. Organ donation is a beacon of hope for the thousands awaiting transplants and a powerful legacy left by donors.
In Australia, the statistics are compelling: 513 deceased organ donors and 253 living kidney donors made a significant difference in 2023, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. Despite this, only 36%of Australians are registered donors, leaving around1,800individuals on the waitlist for an organ transplant.
One crucial step in this process is communicating your wishes to your family, as they ultimately have the final say. It's essential to have open discussions about your decision to donate organs, ensuring your intentions are clear and respected. Additionally, pathways such as driver's license registration present an opportunity for individuals to register as organ donors. This simple act can make a profound difference, potentially saving multiple lives.
Join us as we delve into the importance of these conversations and the pathways that facilitate organ donation. Together, we'll uncover the stories, the science, and the societal impact of this incredible gift of life.
Key takeaways about organ donation from Donate Life:
Very few people can become an organ donor when they die
A person must die in a hospital in specific circumstances, in an ICU or ED, as organs need to be functioning well to be considered for transplantation
Only around 2% of people who die in Australian hospitals meet the criteria required to be an organ donor
In 2023, around 1,500 people (of the 84,000 people who died in Australian hospitals) died in a way where organ donation could be considered
Requests to families for donation were made in 1,435 cases
Of this, 793 families said yes to donation in the hospital – representing a national consent rate of 55% – with 513 people becoming organ donors
With only a small number of potential donors, increasing consent is critical to increasing our donation rate.
There are around 1,800 Australians waitlisted for a transplant and around 14,000 additional people on dialysis – many of whom could benefit from a kidney transplant.
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