There are almost 2,000 people on the national waiting list for organs and tissues. Some of them will die waiting. By being an organ donor, you are giving the gift of life. One donor can improve the lives of up to 10 people. To become a donor, please talk to your family and friends about your decision to donate. You can register online at the Organ Donor Registry, or phone 1800 777 203.

DonateLife Campaign
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has launched the DonateLifeTM national awareness program which aims to help educate Australian families about organ and tissue donation, and their power to save lives.

Click here to learn more about organ donation and how you can save a life.

The facts on organ donation
Most people think that death occurs when the heart stops beating. This is called cardiac death. Death, however, can also occur when the brain stops functioning. This is called brain death. The way a person dies will depend on which organs and tissues can be donated.

Cardiac Death
Three things happen when cardiac death occurs.

1. The heart stops beating and cannot be restarted.
2. The person stops breathing
3. The brain then stops functioning because it has been starved of oxygen

People who die in this way can donate tissues such as heart valves, bones, corneas and skin up to 24 hours after they die.

Brain Death
The same things occur when a person is brain dead but they occur in a different order.

1. 1: The brain stops functioning because it's deprived of oxygen (as a result of injury and/or swelling)
2. 2: Breathing stops because the brain is dead
3. 3: Finally the heart stops beating. The person is dead. He or she cannot recover

To be able to donate organs such as heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas, a person must be brain dead, on a ventilator (artificial breathing machine) and in hospital. Without a supply of oxygen from the ventilator, these organs would not be suitable for transplantation.