ACT Health Minister, Ms Katy Gallagher MLA today joined hundreds of people at Regatta Point to take part in the DonateLife Walk to promote organ and tissue donation.

"Today marks the launch of "Book of Life", released to honour the memory of popular and well-known Canberran Terry Connelly who became a tissue donor after his death.  The collection of stories tells of life-saving and life-changing events from local people touched by organ and tissue donation," Ms Gallagher said.

The DonateLife Walk is Canberra's main community event during national DonateLife Week, which runs from 20 to 27 February. The event involves a bridge-to-bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin, followed by a free community breakfast.

Ms Gallagher was joined by representatives from peak health sector bodies and associations, and members of the organ donor community including those currently waiting to receive a donor organ, recipients and donor families.

"Canberra saw a record number of multi organ donations in 2010, with 10 multi organ donor families transforming the lives of 32 Australians," Ms Gallagher said.

"Australia has a world-class reputation for successful transplant outcomes, yet one of the lowest organ donation rates in the developed world with only 40 per cent of Australian's knowing the donation wishes of their loved ones.  

"Therefore, I encourage everyone to talk to their friends and family about organ donation this week so these statistics can improve," the Minister concluded. Back