Organ donors in spotlight14 October 2005New Zealanders are being asked to make their feelings on organ donation known during an international awareness day being held today. The World Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation campaign is being run by Organ Donation New Zealand and donor co-ordinator Janice Langlands said many people believed that by ticking the organ donor box on their driver's licence their organs would automatically be donated. "This isn't the case. In most cases if a person is declared brain dead, the family is asked if they would consider organ donation," she said. Organ Donation New Zealand wanted people to discuss the issue of donation with their families to ensure their wishes were well known. A total of 107 transplants were carried out in New Zealand last year. These included four heart, nine lung, 36 liver, two pancreas and 56 kidney transplants. As well as organs, people can donate tissue – such as corneas, heart valves, bone and skin – for transplantation. "For many sick Kiwis, the opportunity to live full and healthy lives is only possible through the generosity of organ donors," said Ms Langlands. |