SIMON Corbell has joined more than 4000 thousand Canberrans to help raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation.

“As a result of the generosity of 11 organ donors and their families in the ACT in 2014, 35 people received life saving organ transplants,” Simon said.

“I encourage people to take some time to share their wishes with family and close friends, and ask them about their wishes. It is these people who will be asked to confirm your wishes.”

In its ninth year the Donatelife Walk is Canberra’s main community event for The Gift of Life Incorporated. The Donatelife Walk started at Regatta Point and involved a bridge-to-bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin, followed by a free community breakfast.

While there have been significant increases in the number of Australians registered as donors since the start of Federal Government reforms in 2009 there is still a need for improvement.

“Nationally there has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of organ donors since 2009, including a 38 per cent increase in the ACT, but there are approximately 1600 Australians on the transplant waiting list at any one time,” Mr Corbell said.

“Organ and tissue donations restore quality of life for many thousands of Australian but only 1% of people that die in hospital have the rare opportunity to become an organ donor.

“We all need to know the wishes of our loved ones, because we know if families have had this discussion they feel comfortable saying yes when asked about organ and tissue donation.”