Organ Donation

Ms COOK (Fisher) (15:26): The journey of involvement in organ donation for me started at age 13 when I heard about an older student at my high school who had tragically died several days after a freak accident at home. I recall kids at school talking about what had happened and one of the girls saying that she thought her kidneys were going to help somebody. I had no idea what they were talking about. I certainly did not understand, but I knew it was special and I have never forgotten her name.

This weekend, as part of celebrations leading into DonateLife Week, there is an event which celebrates 50 years since the first kidney transplant. This is such an achievement when we consider how little knowledge and technology was available in the sixties. I had the great privilege to witness a kidney transplant as part of my theatre nursing rotation during my training at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The sight of a kidney, devoid of perfusion, often having sat on ice for many hours and having travelled maybe across the country, suddenly becoming a wonderful rich colour once clamps are released and the organ fills with the recipient's blood is incredible.

Since those very early days, I have worked on all sides of this wonderful gift. I have nursed people waiting patiently for organs and sadly seen people pass away when the wait has become all too long. I have cared for recipients of kidneys and livers and know how very grateful they are. I have worked with the donors and donor families as the tragedy of brain death becomes a reality and those brave families start the journey of loss of a loved one, but still make such a selfless and generous decision in this dark time. I remember all of the donors and all of their families. Their stories become burnt into your memory. It is these stories that helped me value life in nursing. Those who have given so much to so many: the generous organ and tissue donors who have saved and transformed lives.

I did not ever imagine that this connection would become so very personal. Members may or may not be aware that my son was an organ donor. On 3 May 2008, my husband and I said goodbye to him as he left for a party. He never came home. His life was lost in a pointless assault by a person he did not know. This person's life has also now changed forever because of one moment in time. Making this decision to give life should be so easy because we do not need our organs when we die. It defies logic to let them go to waste, especially when there are so many who need them, but I know how hard it is.

I had nursed for over 20 years and I knew about brain death, but as I sat at the bedside I kept doubting myself. He looked so perfect and so fit. What if he could survive? What if we make the wrong decision? It is silly to think about now, but that is what went through my head. If I had those crazy thoughts as a nurse, I hate to think how hard it is for people who are not used to navigating the medical world.

Sam was 17 and he was everything to us. He was a confident, funny and popular young man with everything to live for. He gave life: he chose to be an organ donor. For Sam, this was the only decision. He asked for this to go on his driver's licence. As an intensive care nurse, I had spoken to him of both donors and recipients. He knew their stories and was understanding of the need. This made it so much easier for us. It was what he wanted.

We have not connected with the recipients, as it is too hard for us, but I know that they are so very grateful: a mother of five children, grandparents and a four-year-old child with congenital heart disease. We may yet see another chicken parmi-loving kid out there kicking goals for an AFL team in the next 10 years.

With 1,600 people waiting for organs nationwide, we know that much more must be done to raise awareness about organ donation. Even though the research tells us that the chance to save lives makes 90 per cent of Australians want to become an organ and tissue donor, nearly 40 per cent of Australians have not made the decision about donation, and nearly a third have not even discussed it with their loved ones.

Many people think that we should make being a donor an opt-out system where it is assumed you will donate unless you have declared your opposition. The evidence does not support this. We must educate and raise awareness.

In 2014, 36 South Australians donated their organs for transplant and 118 deceased donors provided corneas for 172 transplants—it is incredible. We lead Australia with a donor rate of 21.4 per million population when the national figure is 16.1 per million. SA leads the way and has a strong tradition of being a compassionate state with public support for organ and tissue donation.

One decision can transform the lives of so many. Organ donation can mean the difference between sight and blindness, walking and not walking again. Our health system supports effort to smooth the way for families facing this decision. Our specialist nursing coordinators and medical specialists, intensive care units, emergency departments and our tissue, typing and transplant facilities all work together to identify donors and keep families informed.

The message remains the same: encourage your loved ones, friends and colleagues to have the chat and save lives. Keep spreading the word. As a member of our donation and transplant community with personal experience, you have a crucial role to play, if you become one of these people, in creating awareness and dispelling any myths. I encourage you, as DonateLife Week kicks off on Sunday to run from 2 to 9 August, to join us in spreading this message throughout your electorate.