THE number of deceased organ donations dropped nationally by three per cent in 2014 although the number still shows a 53 per cent increase since 2009 when the DonateLife Network was established.
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Releasing the 2014 Organ and Tissue Authority Performance Report, Assistant Minister for Health Fiona Nash said that 117 Australian lives were transformed by 378 organ donors.
Thanking the families of organ and tissue donors, Minister Nash said: "These families gave the gift of life at the time of their loved ones' death. It is a truly amazing gift."
Research has shown that more than 60 per cent of Australian families give consent for organ and tissue donation to proceed. However, families that have discussed and know the donation decision of their loved one allow organ donation to proceed on 80 per cent of occasions.
"I urge all Australians to discuss this important issue within their families and register their wish to donate," said Minister Nash.
Contrary to the national trend, the number of deceased organ donations increased in Victoria last year from 11 to 117.
Of the 369 actual organs transplanted from Victorian donors there were 202 kidneys, 64 livers, 53 lungs, 31 hearts, 13 pancreases, one heart-lung and five pancreas islets.
