The blessings and love that come from saving one’s life is beyond words. And the smile that you receive in return is divine!

This week starting from, 31st July, 2016 – 7th August, 2016 is Donate Life Week.

Donate Life Week in NSW was launched on 2 August, 2-16 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith by the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service (OTDS).

The theme this year is: ‘What are you waiting for?’

One of the main speakers at the launch was Rupesh Udani – the father of 7-year-old Deyaan Udani who tragically suffered a brain haemorrhage and became an organ donor during a family holiday overseas in January this year. Deyaan saved the lives of four others.

Rupesh was joined by 9-year-old daughter Naisha who, last year, along with her little brother Deyaan, told her parents she wanted to be a donor after learning about how organ and tissue donation can help others at school.

During Donate Life Week (Sunday 31 July to Sunday 7 August), Australians are being urged to join the Australian Organ Donor, Register online and help end the wait for the 1,500 Australians in need of a life-saving transplant.

For more information about Donate Life Week you can visit www.donatelife.gov.au.

 Organ & Tissue Donation facts:

• Forty per cent of NSW residents are on the Australian Organ Donor Register, despite the majority (78%) regarding registration as important.

• In 2015, donation proceeded in 91 per cent of cases where the deceased was a registered donor- this compared to just 52 per cent where the potential donor had not registered and the family had no prior knowledge of their wishes.

• In NSW last year, a record 127 organ donors resulted in 355 people receiving life-saving transplants.

• More than 1,500 Australians are on transplant waiting lists at any one time.

• Organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives – one donor can save up to 10 lives and improve the lives of many more.

• In Australia, the family will be asked to confirm the donation decision of potential organ and tissue donors before donation can proceed. The most important thing that helps a family’s decision is knowing their loved ones wishes.