At 35 years old, I'm incredibly embarrassed it's taken me this long to do so. What's even more embarrassing is why I didn't do it the moment I turned 18.

Growing up through my teenage years I was convinced I was always going to be an organ donor. After all, why wouldn't you be?

But one night, shortly before my 18th, a friend of mine spun what was a convincing story at the time, saying that if you were only a 50-50 chance of surviving, doctors might happily let you slip away because you're an organ donor in order to save someone else.

Of course I know now, and have known for at least 15 years, that's complete rubbish, which means I have no excuse for taking as long as I did to register.

Thankfully, I'm alive and well, and the error of my ways hasn't come at a price. I've still got the opportunity to give the gift of life to scores of Australians through being an organ donor.

We've done countless stories on organ donation in my time at The Border Mail, which stretches back to 2001, but as the father of three young children, none have struck a chord more than the emotional rollercoaster that Archer and Nikki Irwin have been on in recent years.

I'd challenge anyone to read our News Focus in Saturday's The Border Mail and not feel compelled to become an organ donor, or at least have a conversation with their loved ones about doing so.

It sounds harsh, but we'll no longer be here whether we donate our organs or not.

Nothing will ever bring back Jessica McLennan, who her mother Vicki Denniss misses every day, but the fact that "a little bit of Jess lives on" is something.

When I read this quote from Vicki, I couldn't put it off a second longer. I had to register.

"There are probably hundreds of people now who are grateful to my daughter - grandchildren, great-grandchildren, aunts, sisters, families and friends who still have the person they love ... because of Jess."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Last year in Australia 1782 lives were transformed by 554 deceased and 238 living organ donors and their families. Currently, there are 1551 Australians waiting for an organ donation.

I'd hope that if my children, wife, mother, father or sister needed an organ transplant, that there'd be someone out there - maybe it's you - who could help. And it's my commitment to you, that I'll do the same.

To register to become an organ donor, visit www.donatelife.gov.au

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