Discover the facts about organ and tissue donation

Download a PDF of this fact sheet here

I've already registered. I don’t need to tell my family.

Reality:

You do need to discuss your decision with your family and friends, even if you have registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register (or, in some states, on your driver’s licence). Donation won’t proceed without your family’s consent. Families are less likely to give consent for donation if they do not know the wishes of the deceased. That’s why every family is encouraged to discuss and know each other’s wishes.

I’m too old, too young or not healthy enough to donate.

Reality:

Almost any one can donate their organs and tissue. While your age and medical history will be considered, you shouldn’t assume you are too old, too young or not healthy enough. There’s every chance that some of your organs and tissues will be suitable for donation. Only some medical conditions may prevent you from being a donor, such as transmissible diseases like HIV.

Doctors won’t work as hard to save my life if they know I’m a donor.

Reality:

Not so. Medical staff do everything possible to save lives. Their first duty is to you and saving your life. Organ and tissue donation will only be considered after all efforts fail and you have been legally declared dead. Usually, the Australian Organ Donor Register is only checked after you have died.

In most cases, a person may only be able to donate organs where they have been declared brain dead in an intensive care unit in hospital. Brain death is when blood circulation to the brain ceases, and the brain stops functioning and dies with no possibility of recovery. A series of tests carried out by two independent and appropriately qualified senior doctors establishes that brain death has occurred.

People are sometimes confused about the difference between brain death and coma. Brain death is completely different from coma. A patient in a coma is unconscious because their brain is injured in some way, but their brain can continue to function and may heal. Medical tests can clearly distinguish between brain death and coma.

Organ donation may also be possible after a person’s heart has stopped beating, referred to as cardiac death, but this is less common. A far greater number of people have the opportunity to donate tissue for transplantation. Tissue donation does not require the donor’s death to have occurred in the same limited circumstances as organ donation for transplantation to be successful.

Organ donation is against my religion.

Reality:

Most religions support organ and tissue donation as generous acts that benefit people. This includes Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism. If you are not sure whether your religion is supportive, speak to your religious adviser. You can also read or download a fact sheet on organ and tissue donation in relation to all the major religions.

My organs and tissue will be used for research.

Reality:

Organ donation is about helping save or improve other people’s lives. Donated tissues and organs will never be used for medical research unless explicit written permission is given by your family.

My family won’t be able to view my body.

Reality:

Yes they will. The removal of organs and tissue is no different from any other surgical operation, and is performed by highly skilled health professionals. The donor’s body is always treated with dignity and respect. The donation of organs and tissue does not alter the physical appearance of the body, your family will be able to view your body and have an open casket if they wish.

I don’t need to donate because thousands of others do.

Reality:

Few people die in such a way that donation is possible. Organ and tissue donors need to die in hospital where their body can be kept on a ventilator until the organs can be donated. Only 247 people donated organs last year. There are some 1700 Australians on official waiting lists at any one time.