18 February 2009

Organ recipient gets a second chance at life

Tony Cali, 64, retired, from Engadine, knows the importance of organ donation, being a recipient of a kidney late last year gave him a second chance at life.
 
"I owe a lot to the extraordinary generosity of the donor and their family – their gift has given me the chance to thrive and lead a normal, healthy life," Mr Cali said.
 
"A stranger has given me a second chance at life … what can you say … words cannot express how I feel, especially when the gift comes from someone else’s loss," Mr Cali said.
 
"I am also grateful to Professor Mark Brown, Director of Nephrology at St George and Sutherland Hospitals, his staff and the Renal Transplant Unit at the Prince of Wales Hospital for their care and expertise," he said.
 
It was in the early hours of the morning when Mr Cali received the all-important call: a kidney had become available.
 
"My wife Pam took the call – we were told to come to the hospital straight away," he said.
 
"I remember having a feeling of exhilaration, I didn’t panic, I packed a bag and left for the hospital," he said.
 
This week is Organ Donation Awareness Week (21 – 28 February) and the key message is "talk to your family" to let them know if you want to be an organ and tissue donor.
 
South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health (SESIH) Organ and Tissue Donor Coordinator Kerry Munsie said that talking to family members about becoming an organ donor can save lives.
 
"Talking to your family about organ donation could be a life-saving discussion – an organ donor can save the lives of up to ten people with many more for tissue donation," Ms Munsie said.  
 
In 2008, the number of organ donors across NSW rose to 57, compared to 53 in 2007, and the number of transplants performed in NSW also increased to 190, compared to 175 in 2007.
 
Although organ donor rates in Australia rose by 31 percent in 2008, only approximately 50 percent of families consented to organ donation of a loved one. 
 
"It is important to talk to our families about organ donation and then register as it gives families confidence to support their loved one’s decision at a time when faced with shock and grief – and it gives hope for those waiting for a transplant," Ms Munsie said.
 
You can ‘Register Today’ by signing on to the Australian Organ Donor Register or NSW RTA register when renewing your drivers licence details.  For further information visit www.organdonor.com.au or call 1800 777 203.

Media enquiries: South Eastern Sydney Illawarra HealthMedia Officer Maxine Brennan 9113 2601, 0413 028 776