August 2, 2016
Talking about organ donations can be tricky subject, especially when the people you’re talking to are in the prime of their life … but former Kingaroy resident Bianca Topp is an old hand at it now.
Bianca has been coming to Kingaroy for several years to present a health workshop to Year 12 students at Kingaroy State High School.
On Tuesday, 23 students from the school attended her latest workshop to help demystify organ and tissue donation.
The students were also escorted through the hospital’s Renal Unit by kidney dialysis nurse Robyn Bailey.
They had the opportunity to speak to patients who were receiving their regular dialysis treatments because of failing kidneys.
The visit also coincided with DonateLife Week (July 31- August 7), a nationwide campaign to encourage Australians to sign onto the Australian Organ Donor Register.
“Many people in our community still think that this is still on our (driving) licence and this is not the case,” Bianca said.
“We want everyone in our community to sign onto the Register and to take that decision-making burden off grieving families.
“I myself am a former KSHS student but now co-ordinate organ donation for people all over Queensland, from Cairns to the Gold Coast.”
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DonateLife Week
During DonateLife Week, Australians of all ages are being encouraged to join the Australian Organ Donor Register online.
According to the Organ and Tissue Authority, less than one-third of Australian adults are on the national Donor Register, despite the majority of Australians being willing to donate.
Registering a decision removes doubt from family members.
In 2015, organ donation proceeded in 91 per cent of cases where the deceased was a registered donor.
This figure dropped to just 52 per cent if the deceased was not registered and the family had no prior knowledge of their wishes.
Currently there are more than 1500 people in Australia waiting for a transplant.
The Australian Organ Donor Register is the only national register to record a donation decision.
- External link: How To Register Online
