Donate Life Week 2012

Today is the start of Donate Life Week 2012.

This year it's a lot more up close and personal.

Since I've been blogging, each year, at this time, I've written a little bit about organ donation, and how at some time, in the future, I would need a double lung transplant.

Well, that time came, and today marks my 172nd day on the waiting list.

I think about it every day.

From the Hottie Challenge

I know that I'm preaching to the converted here on the blog, as I've had so many messages and comments from everyone who has signed up to the national register, and has discussed it with their family.

So this year, just for something a little bit different, I'm going to issue a challenge....

The challenge is:

At some time during Donate Life Week (Sunday 19th - Sunday 26th February), have a discussion about organ donation with someone whom you've never discussed the issue with before.

It could be a co-worker, the checkout operator, the lady at the post office, your neighbour, one of your kiddies schoolteachers, the lollipop lady, or the person in the queue next to you at the shops.

Feel free to use me, or this blog to bring it up in the conversation. Maybe you could start with... Do you know its Donate Life Week? I have a friend/read a blog by someone who is waiting for a lung transplant....

If you do take on the challenge, I'd love it if you could come back and leave a comment to let me know!

Also feel free to pop this pic in your sidebar for the week and link it to the Donate Life website.

If you'd like to learn more about organ donation, or you would like some resources for your family, so that you can discuss the issue, the Donate Life website is a fantastic resource, jam packed full of everything you could ever need to know.

No matter what happens, your family will always need to give the final consent, so it's vitally important that they know your wishes, and that you sign up to the national register.

Thankyou... from the bottom of my poor overworked, enlarged, moderately pulmonary hypertensive heart and bronchiectasised lungs!

My Posts:
Donate Life Week 2011
Donate Life Week 2010
Donate Life Week 2009
Donate Life Week 2008


Lastnight in Sydney, the premiere screening was held for all of the short films that were created as part of The FilmLife Project.

I wanted to share a couple of the films.....

The first one was made by Jess Sparks. I would love it if you could spare 5 minutes to hear Jess's story.



The second one is by Josephine Lei, and it's actually really quite amusing... and less than 2 minutes!



All the short films are also available online here

Donate Life Week 2011

I'm a couple of days late, but this week is Donate Life Week in Australia.

It's the perfect time to not only join the official Organ Donor register, but to sit down and have a discussion with your family to ensure that they are aware of your wishes.

Just in case you don't know my story, there's a very good reason that I'm so passionate about this issue..... so here's the very short version:

I'm 36 years old and I've had a chronic lung disease since the age of 15. I was then diagnosed with panhypogammablobulinemia about 11 years ago which just added further complications.

At the age of 28, I was told that I would need a lung transplant at some time in the future. That was a huge bombshell and the first time that I really took the time to think about my future (or lack thereof). Well that was eight years ago now, and I've managed to keep plodding on with my own very dodgy barely working lungs, connected to a never-ending supply of oxygen.

I often think about what it would be like to be able to breathe again - to ride a bike, to go for a run, to walk up a hill, to go shopping, to pick up my nephews, even to mop my floors! All those normal things that I can't do.

At this stage, I need to keep my own dodgy lungs for as long as I possibly can. But, I'm hoping that when the time arrives that I can't go on any longer, I'll receive the ultimate gift.


There are over 1700 Australians waiting for an organ transplant at any time, and the wait can be anywhere between 6 months and 4 years.

The Donate Life website is a wonderful resource full of information, including the family discussion page.

Please spare some time this week and have that conversation....

Organ Donor Awareness Week 2010

 

This week is Organ Donor Awareness Week in Australia.

 

This is an extremely important issue and I hope everyone can take 15 minutes of their precious time this week to have a discussion with their loved ones regarding this issue. If you would like to be an organ donor, it is extremely important to be placed on the national register. It is even more important that your family and other loved ones are aware of your wishes as they will make the final decision.

 

I don't often preach about anything on this blog, but I have a chronic lung disease and will require a lung transplant at some time in the future. I have friends who have had transplants in the last couple of years (after waiting more than five years), and I have another friend who is currently on the waiting list.

There are some wonderful family resources on the Donate Life website, and some very interesting facts and statistics.

 

If you would like to sign up online as an Organ Donor, you can do so right here at the Medicare website.

Just a Minute.....in February

Well, February is nearly over already. Time flies when you're a busy bee! Just enough time for Just a Minute. Head over to visit Jen to play along.

Reading:

The Nanny Diaries - I'm almost finished but now I can't find the book. It's probably packed in a box somewhere.

Eating:

I'm about to have some brekky so I'm thinking about vegemite toast. I'm having a BBQ for tea tonight....yum.

Making:

Absolutely nothing at the moment. I'm about to go back to my old house to pick up my sewing supplies after breakfast. I can't guarantee that I'll actually use them in the next couple of weeks, but at least I'll be able to look at the pretty fabrics and dream.

Watching:

Series 2 of Dexter, and Brothers and Sisters, which are both on at the same time, and now I don't have Foxtel IQ anymore so I can't watch one and tape one..... huge dilemma!

I must also add that I'm extremely happy that Channel 10 came to their senses and moved The Bold and the Beautiful back to it's original timeslot. Of course, I'm addicted to The Biggest Loser again this year too.

Reminding:

Everyone that today is the last day of Organ Donor Awareness Week in Australia.
If you don't already know why I'm so passionate about this issue, then you can read my story here.
Just remember, that even if you register as a donor, your family has to make the final decision. You need to ensure that all of your family members are aware of your wishes.
You can visit the Medicare website to find all of the information that you need, and there are links to lots of other organisation as well. You can register online here.

Organ Donor Awareness Week - Feb 17 - Feb 24

This week is Organ Donor Awareness Week in Australia.

Click here to register online or by post with Medicare.

This is an extremely important issue and I hope everyone can take 15 minutes of their precious time this week to have a discussion with their loved ones regarding this issue. If you would like to be an organ donor, it is extremely important to be placed on the national register. It is even more important that your family and other loved ones are aware of your wishes as they will make the final decision.

This information is from the Medicare Australia Website:

By registering to become an organ donor you could be making the greatest gift one human being can give another – the gift of life.
There are almost 2000 people in Australia on organ transplant waiting lists at any given time. Some of them will die waiting.

The Australian Organ Donor Register is Australia’s only national organ and tissue donor register and serves as a lifeline to the people on those waiting lists.
Registering is the first crucial step.

About the Australian Organ Donor Register

The Australian Organ Donor Register is administered by Medicare Australia on behalf of the Australian Government and provides a simple way for people to record their consent (or objection) to becoming an organ and/or tissue donor.
In January 2005, Australian Health Ministers agreed that the Australian Organ Donor Register would become a Register of consent, enabling individuals to record their legal decision to becoming an organ or tissue donor after death. The Register will be operational as a consent register from July 2005.
Health Ministers agreed that the Australian Organ Donor Register would be the only national register for organ and/or tissue donation.
The Donor Register will ensure that your consent (or objection) to donating organs and/or tissue for transplantation can be verified 24 hours a day, seven days a week by authorised medical personnel, anywhere in Australia. In the event of your death, information about your decision will be accessed from the Donor Register, and provided to your family. It is important that you talk with your family before registering your decision

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week (AODAW) is the largest public awareness campaign in Australia associated with organ and tissue donation for transplantation.
AODAW 2008 will be held from Sunday 17 February to Saturday 24 February 2008.
AODAW aims to raise donation rates in Australia by focusing on the pressing need for organ and tissue donation, encouraging families to discuss their wishes, highlighting the success of organ transplantation in Australia and promoting the registration of consent on to the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR).
Visit our Australian Organ Donor Register

Further information page to find out what’s happening in your state or territory.
People are encouraged to ‘sign on to save lives’

Information from Lifegift - Aust. Red Cross Blood Service

One organ donor can save and improve the quality of life of up to 10 other people. Currently each year Australia has approximately 200 organ donors - this number could be doubled. A simple discussion with your partner, family and friends, as well as registering on the Australia Organ Donor Registry, will ensure your decision counts!

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week (Sunday 17 to Sunday 24 February) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation and to encourage people to register as an organ and tissue donor. Register Today!

One organ donor can save and improve the quality of life of up to 10 other people. Organ and tissue transplantation can help the many Australians who are suffering life threatening illnesses, including heart, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and cystic fibrosis.

There were 198 organ donors in Australia in 2007, while there are more than 1,800 Australians waiting for an organ transplant at any time. Sadly, 20% of those waiting for a heart, liver or lung transplant will die before receiving a life saving transplant.

We encourage all Australians to think about organ donation, and register onto the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) by calling 1800 777 203, using the link below or collecting a form at your local Medicare office. Also, NSW drivers can tick the box on your drivers licence application or renewal form or contact the RTA, but it must be done in writing!

Then, most importantly tell your family of your decision.

Register to become an organ donor right now!

Australia has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the developed world. An estimated 100 people die each year while waiting for an organ transplant due to the shortage of organ and tissue donors. You can help save lives by registering your consent to become an organ and tissue donor. Remember to tell your partner, family or friends about your decision.

Transplant Australia is another good source of further information.