Bellarine locals are signing up to become potential life-savers

Archer is just one of the many people who have received an organ through the Australian Organ Donor Register.

THE Bellarine has more than 15,000 people registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

New figures – released ahead of DonateLife Week (July 28-August 4) – shows that the region received almost 600 new registrations last year.

Bellarine locals are signing up to become potential life savers at a fast pace, joining a state-wide push to increase rates of organ and tissue donor registrations.

The highest total registrations on the Bellarine is Ocean Grove, with 4,539 (and 202 new registrations in 2018) and Drysdale, with 3,958 (152 new).

Leopold had 3,111 (139 new), Portarlington, Indented Head and St Leonards had 1,884 (62 new) and Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale had 1,551 (38 new).

DonateLife Victoria state medical director Dr Rohit D’Costa thanked Bellarine locals for joining the Australian Organ Donor Register and encouraged all Victorians to follow their lead.

Last year across Victoria, a total of 50,626 adults registered for organ and tissue donation.

“Registering your decision about organ and tissue donation – and talking to your family – is important as it leaves no doubt about your wishes, should the worst happen,” Dr D’Costa said.

“Whether your decision about organ donation is a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, it’s important that you make it known.”

Dr D’Costa paid tribute to the families who have made the life-saving decision to donate the organs and tissues of loved ones.

“Organ donation saves lives.

“Every year, more and more lives are being saved and transformed by organ donation, and that is only possible because of the hundreds of grieving families who selflessly support their loved one’s decision to donate their organs.

“We want to thank every single family who has made the decision to donate, and hope they get some comfort out of the knowledge their loved one has saved the lives of others.”

Last year in Victoria, a record 193 donors and their families made the selfless decision to donate organs – saving the lives of 529 people.

This compared to 148 donors in 2017, when 387 people received a life-saving transplant.

For more information, head to donatelife.gov.au.