DonateLife and West Albury's Sue Elliott encourage organ donation

So did some 220 Wangaratta residents, 160 in Indigo, 100 in Alpine Shire and 40 in Towong.

They all signed up as organ and tissue donors during 2020, a year that saw an overall drop in registrations of 16 per cent.

DonateLife Week 2021, which ends on Sunday, is encouraging 100,000 more people across Australia to register as donors.

There are currently 1800 Australians on the transplant waiting list and another 12,000 people on dialysis for kidney failure.

West Albury couple Sue and Brian Elliott understand the importance of donations - six years ago they took part in the Australian Paired Kidney Exchange Program, which sees a living donor anonymously donate their compatible kidney to a stranger and in return, their loved one receives a compatible kidney from a stranger.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Mrs Elliott, who had been diagnosed with the kidney disease Reflux Nephropathy some years earlier, said she was fortunate not having to wait for a deceased donor.

"I really feel for people who are on dialysis; for some people it's weeks, months, and longer, just waiting for that call," she said.

Mrs Elliott told The Border Mail organ donation was one of the most significant conversations a family could have together.

"It doesn't matter how old or how young people are in your family, sit around and openly talk about it so you know your family's wishes," she said.

DonateLife Victoria state medical director Rohit D'Costa said when people registered, their family had one less decision to make during a highly emotional time in their lives.

"The biggest barrier to families saying yes to donation is not knowing their family member was willing to be a donor," Dr D'Costa said.

Anyone aged 16 years and over can register at donatelife.gov.au/register.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: