LifeSharers opens New Zealand Chapter

“LifeSharers is a non-profit national network of organ donors.  LifeSharers members promise to donate upon their death, and they give fellow members first access to their organs.”

Recently, LifeSharers has formed a chapter in New Zealand.  Here is an excerpt from Innovative New Service to Increase Organ Donors, Scoop Health, May 1 2008:

An ‘innovative’ new healthcare solution to help increase the number of organ donors in New Zealand was launched from Parliament today.

Andy Tookey of Givelife NZ, a campaign for reform to the organ donation system, held a press conference in Parliament’s West Wing Foyer this morning to launch ‘LifeSharers.’

LifeSharers is New Zealand’s ONLY organ donor register and it gives a POWERFUL incentive to join the register.

LifeSharers members direct that their organs should be offered first to other registered organ donors. * * *

Membership is Free and everyone is welcome to join. There are no medical constraints to joining.

Only 42% of drivers have ‘donor’ on their licence, and around half of potential donors in Intensive Care Units do not become donors due to objection by themselves or their families.

“I would anticipate that 99% of the population would say ‘yes’ to receiving an organ if it were to save theirs, or their children’s life, yet only 42% have put donor on their driving licence.

Remember, without organ donors there are no recipients either.” Says Tookey.