Community reminded to register as an organ donor this DonateLife Week
Monday, 28 July 2025
People across NSW are reminded to register for organ and tissue donation and discuss their decision with their loved ones this DonateLife Week.
Sadly, there has been an 11 per cent drop in donor registrations in the past year, and with approximately 1,800 people currently on the organ transplant waitlist in Australia, donors are urgently needed to help save lives.
While most Australians support organ donation, only 41 per cent of NSW residents are registered organ and tissue donors.
Ensuring family and loved ones are informed about your decision is also key as families are more likely to agree to donation if their loved one is registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Loved ones are always asked to support someone’s decision to be an organ donor before donation goes ahead and while eight in ten families agree when they know their family member was a registered donor, this consent drops to four in ten if they have not had a prior conversation.
Yesterday marked the start of DonateLife Week 2025, where the community came together and planted 1,800 native saplings in Western Sydney in support of Seeds for Life, with each tree representing an Australian currently waiting for a life-saving transplant.
The Seeds for Life event aims to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation and support a national call to action to increase donor registrations.
Register as a donor today at donatelife.gov.au or through the ServiceNSW app.
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“Planting 1,800 native trees is a powerful reminder of the 1,800 people waiting on a life-saving organ transplant.
“This DonateLife Week is about increasing awareness and consent and is vital to boosting donation rates.
“It only takes one minute to go online and register yourself as a donor, but it’s also so important to have these heartfelt conversations with your loved ones about your decision.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Michael O’Leary, Co-State Medical Director DonateLife NSW:
“If you’d say yes to a transplant for yourself or someone you love, it makes sense to say yes to donation too.
“I encourage everyone in NSW to please register to become a donor, but it only works if your family knows your decision.
“Registering to become a dedicated organ donor is a powerful act, one organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people.”
