By Alesha Capone
More than 1000 Wyndham residents signed up to become organ and tissue donors last year.
Figures released by DonateLife show that last year 593 residents from the 3030 postcode – which covers Werribee, Point Cook, Werribee South, Quandong and Derrimut – signed up as future donors with the Australian Organ Donor Register.
This made the 3030 postcode third-highest in the state for new registrations for the year, behind Ballarat (655 registrations) and Cranbourne (604).
The 3029 postcode, which covers Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit and Truganina, came in seventh with 420 people.
DonateLife Victoria state medical director Rohit D’Costa said 20 per cent of Victorian adults had signed up with the Australian Organ Donor Register.
That compares to 68 per cent in South Australia, 49 per cent in Tasmania and 40 per cent in New South Wales.
D’Costa said that it was important for people thinking of signing up to the register to discuss the issue with family and loved ones.
At any one time, about 1400 Australians are waiting for life-saving organ transplants.
To register to become an organ and tissue donor, visit donatelife.gov.au.
