THE conversation none of us really wants to have could be one of the most important of our lives. Or death.
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Most Australians rightly marvel at the wonderful benefits of organ donation, and more and more of us now know someone whose life has been transformed by these medical miracles.
And most of us would not think twice about the idea of offering up our organs to save a life – or lives – in the event of a tragedy.
Too often, though, those wishes go unfulfilled because discussing death remains such a difficult thing for many.
We don’t like to ponder our own death and we can’t bear to consider the death of our loved ones.
But as the federal government this week launches yet another campaign attempting to increase the rate of organ donation in this country, it’s time again for us to face our own fears and have that tough conversation with our families.
Eight years after the government pledged to increase organ donation and transplantation, just seven per cent of Australians are registered organ donors.
To understand that figure, we must understand the circumstances that family members find themselves in when they are asked about organ donation.
In most cases, they have lost a loved one in sudden, tragic circumstances and already are struggling to cope.
Too often, the question of organ donation is just too much for them at that time and the natural response is to say no.
But that is not the right time for them to be confronting the question of organ donation for the first time.
Rather, health professionals encourage people to discuss their wishes openly and honestly with their nearest family members.
And, from May, registering to become an organ donor will be a one-step, online process able to be completed in less than 10 minutes, with no paperwork necessary.
It’s hoped the move will increase the rate of organ donation to a level more closely reflecting the real wishes of our community.
What a wonderful thing that would be.