Sixteen years ago, Oren Klemich faced an unimaginable tragedy when he lost his 18-year-old son, Jack, to Meningococcal disease. However, Oren found solace in the knowledge that Jack’s organs were donated, allowing five individuals to receive the life-saving transplants they desperately needed. “It’s comforting to know that a piece of Jack continues to help others,” Oren reflected.
In South Australia, where Oren resides, the state boasts the highest organ donation rate in Australia, with 74 per cent of eligible residents registered. However, the figures reveal a significant drop among younger individuals aged 16 to 24, where registration stands at only 40 per cent. Health Minister Chris Picton praised the state’s performance and called for other regions to improve their rates, emphasising the urgent need for donations as lives hang in the balance.
Organ donation is a profound act of kindness, which has given recipients like Dimitri and Nicole renewed hope and health. Dimitri, a kidney and liver recipient, shared the joy of having five children despite being previously told he could not have any. Nicole, who received a heart transplant, hopes to advocate for organ donation awareness across Australia, suggesting that normalising conversations about it could empower families to discuss their wishes comfortably.
Nicole described her heart condition as a “ticking time bomb,” leading to her listing for a transplant. In South Australia, registering to become an organ donor can be as straightforward as ticking a box when obtaining or renewing a driver’s licence. Dr Stewart Moodie from DonateLife SA encourages families to discuss organ donation openly, particularly when young people are filling out forms for their licences.
With over 1,800 Australians currently waiting for transplants, each registered organ donor has the potential to save up to seven lives, making every conversation about donation crucial. The call to action is clear: families should engage in open discussions about organ donation, ensuring that everyone knows their wishes.