Canberrans say 'OK' to organ and tissue donation (PDF)

Over 1800 Canberrans have taken part in this morning's DonateLife Walk, letting their family and friends know they've said ‘ok' to organ and tissue donation.

The annual walk, organised by Gift of Life with the support of the Government's Organ and Tissue Authority, attracted a large turnout despite an early start.

Participants included Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Kevin Rudd, Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler, Shadow Minister for Health Peter Dutton, ACT Health Minister Katy Gallagher, Member for Canberra Gai Brodtmann, head of the federal Department of Health Jane Halton and the new head of the Organ and Tissue Authority, Yael Cass as well as members of the CA Brumbies and Eastlake Football Club, local business and community leaders, teams from a range of government departments and other organisations and from schools.

Gift of Life President David O'Leary thanked all those who turned out to show their support for organ and tissue donation, and said the large turnout reflects an increasing awareness within the community about this important issue.

"More and more people are coming to understand that organ tissue donation is something we need talk about and decide upon if we're to boost the number of donations in Australia and save many more lives in the future," Mr O'Leary said.

"Events like the DonateLife Walk provide an important opportunity for people to start a conversation with their families and friends so that they know their donation wishes, so we're really pleased to see so many people taking part today."

Before opening the walk, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King highlighted the national DonateLife Book of Life, which celebrates the contribution of Australian organ donors and lives of recipients. The book was launched by the Governor-General in a ceremony at the National Library of Australia last Friday, and will now travel around Australia to help spread the word about organ and tissue donation.

National DonateLife Week runs until Sunday 27 February, and all Canberrans are encouraged to use DonateLife Week as an important opportunity to discuss organ donation with their loved ones and then sign on to the Australian Organ Donor Register.