For Wingham resident Ron Spriggs the difference a heart transplant has made to him is quite simple.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He's still alive.
Three and a half years ago Ron underwent a heart transplant at age 56 and he admits it improved his quality of life "like you wouldn't believe."
This week is DonateLife Week, a national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation in Australia.
DonateLife Week provides a timely reminder to all Australians of the need to discuss their donation decision with loved ones, and to ask and know their donation decisions. It's a week dedicated to having the chat that saves lives.
Without a family somewhere having that chat, Ron wouldn't be racing around Wingham volunteering his time for worthy causes.
Nor would he have had the past three and a half years with his family.
Since his transplant three of his six grand children have been born and Ron delights in watching them grow and getting involved in their lives.
"This is what I've enjoyed the most," he declares.
Ron acknowledges he was a good candidate for a transplant: he kept fit and didn't smoke or drink.
He is also acutely aware he was one of the lucky ones. Ron spent just six weeks on the waiting list for his new heart.
Not everyone is as fortunate and the longer a candidate sits on the waiting list, the more their health can deteriorate effecting the overall success of the procedure.
"We've still got the problem that there's not enough donors," Ron said.
"Despite improvements in procedures we're just not getting as many donors as we need."
Ron believes a lack of knowledge stops most people from signing up to become a donor.
"They don't think about it," he suggests.
And before Ron's life saving operation, he hadn't thought about it either.
"I'm a prime example," he admits.
Ron is giving a talk at Wingham High School today (Wednesday) and said he always gets the best reception from school aged children.
"They ask good questions and they are receptive," he acknowledges.
He wants the kids to know one thing.
They've got to talk to their family.
What to do next
ONE organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people.
The Australian Organ Donor Register (the Donor Register) is the only national register for people to record their decision about becoming an organ and tissue donor for transplantation after death. Register now at www.donatelife.gov.au/decide
In Australia the family of every potential donor will be asked to confirm the donation decision of their loved one before donation can proceed.