By Charlene Gatt
IT’S the gift no one really thinks about until it’s almost too late – the gift of life.
Patients at Footscray’s Western Hospital are donating their tissue and organs more than ever, with seven organ transplants taking place last year.
If that doesn’t seem like much, three people offered their organs in 2010, and only one transplant took place in both 2009 and 2008.
Across Australia, 1001 people received much-needed organ or tissue transplants in 2011, up eight per cent from 2010 figures (931).
Western Health intensive care director Craig French attributed the increase to a Federal Government campaign to increase organ and tissue donation.
“There are many, many patients waiting for transplants, especially kidney transplants,” Dr French said.
“There’s a mismatch at the moment between supply and demand.
“This means that people will not have to wait as long.”
Dr French told Star that Western Health had been very successful in the past in identifying potential organ donors, but had to work harder to get consent from the potential donor or their family.
St Albans resident Daniel Gluhack, 30, is new to the transplant list.
The bricklayer is currently on dialysis up to four times a week for four hours at a time, and is in desperate need for a kidney.
“This is all new to me, but I’ve heard the waiting list for my blood type is seven years,” Mr Gluhack said.
“I’ve only been doing it for four weeks and it’s tough.
“I went from being fit and strong to this.”
But there’s a silver lining: Mr Gluhack’s dad is being tested to see if his kidney is compatible with his son.
On the flip side, 53-year-old Martin Mackus has a new lease on life after receiving a kidney last month. He had been on dialysis for more than three-and-a-half years.
“It was the best Christmas present of my life,” Mr Mackus said.
“It’s supercharged my life; it’s like someone has stuck a battery in me and turned it on.”
Mr Mackus has now signed up as an organ donor, and is urging his family to do the same.
To become an organ donor, go to www.donatelife.gov.au
