Thousands Queue For Lottery Of Life

Illawarra Mercury

Friday July 28, 2006

By TREVOR HULM

DAPTO housewife Pamela Jackson hopes to win the lottery.

But she's not after a financial windfall.

Mrs Jackson is one of thousands of Australians on the waiting list for an organ transplant.

The 65-year-old has suffered from renal failure for five years and spends up to seven hours a day three times a week on a dialysis machine.

She has been seeking a kidney donation since her illness was diagnosed in 2001.

Mrs Jackson admitted yesterday her chances of getting that perfect match to allow a transplant to proceed were slim.

"But I don't despair," she said. "I live in hope that a match will come along."

Mrs Jackson, married with two grown-up daughters, has a daily struggle because of her illness.

It constantly makes her tired and listless. She has to rely on husband Michael to take on many of her customary duties.

Mrs Jackson appealed to Illawarra residents to respond to a call this week by Transplant Australia for organ donations.

"An organ donation could result in someone getting the chance of a better life," she said.

Transplant Australia revealed that only 84 organ donations had been received in the first half of this year.

This is a 22 per cent decline on the corresponding period last year.

It is also depressing news for the more than 3500 people on organ transplant waiting lists - almost half of whom are seeking donated kidneys.

Transplant Australia chief executive Mark Cocks has called for changes to boost organ donations.

Mr Cocks believes many potential donors slip through the net.

"We need to look at appointing specialist donor advisers in key hospitals to ensure potential organ donors can be identified," he said.

Mr Cocks said only 204 organs were donated across Australia last year.

Transplants can overcome a range of life-threatening and debilitating illnesses.

These include heart, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and leukaemia.

For more information go to www.transplant.org.au.

EDITORIAL

The gift of life, P18

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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