CA Brumbies sign on to save lives

Patrick Phibbs, Anne Cahill-Lambert (long-time organ and tissue donation advocate) and Mark Chisholm

Patrick Phibbs and Mark Chisholm of the CA Brumbies have signed on to save lives – and are encouraging all Canberrans to talk to their families about doing the same.

The players signed up to the Australian Organ Donor Register – the official national register for organ and tissue donation.

The CA Brumbies and Medicare Australia – which administers the register for the Australian Government – are partners in raising awareness about organ and tissue donation.

“I hope that by signing up, we will encourage our supporters to talk to their families about making a similar important donation decision,” Phibbs said.

“It’s great to know that your decision can save lives and I’m proud that our club is right behind such a worthy cause.”

Phibbs said although organ and tissue donation is a personal choice, it is ultimately a family decision.

“Its important to discuss your donation decision with your family. Even if you register as a donor, your family will always be asked to give consent for donation to take place,” he said.

“While 80 per cent of Australians support organ and tissue donation – the family consent rate is just 56 per cent, largely because families simply don’t know what their loved one’s wishes are.

“If all Australians knew their loved one’s wishes, we would have a much higher family consent rate and we could save more lives.”

Approximately 51,000 people in the ACT have registered an organ and tissue donation decision.

Australians can register their organ and tissue donation decision online at www.medicareaustralia.gov.au by calling 1800 777 203, or at any Medicare office.