Late last month, Mary joined over 100 people at the launch of the ACT Corneal Transplant program at Calvary Hospital.
“Corneal transplants can transform people’s lives and can now be performed locally in Canberra, but eye tissue donors are vital to sustaining this program,” Mary said.
During the event two Canberrans, Mr Frank Villegas and Ms Emma De Landre, each a recipient of a corneal transplant, spoke of the incredible difference that the transplant had made to their life.
“A person’s lifestyle is dramatically affected when their vision is reduced as a result of any condition which causes the cornea to becomes cloudy ,” Mary commented.
Last year in Australia, 1 144 people donated their eye tissue and 1 730 people had their sight improved with corneal transplants.
“As a result of the generosity of eye tissue donors and their families in the ACT in 2011, more than 55 Australians received the gift of sight.
“This demonstrates the generosity of the ACT community who can see that organ and tissue donation supports and improves the lives of other Australians.
“I encourage Canberrans to ask for, and know what your loved ones’ wishes are. It’s important to talk about organ and tissue donation, and to share your donation decision with the people closest to you, as these are the people who will be asked to confirm your wishes.
“In Australia, the family will always be asked to confirm the donation wishes of the deceased, so families who have discussed and know each other's donation wishes are more likely to uphold those wishes,” Mary concluded.
To discover more about organ and tissue donation and suggestions on how to discuss your wishes with your family, visit www.donatelife.gov.au.
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