MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has encouraged the South Australian Government to explore an “opt-out” organ donation system, which has received full support from one local family.
As events are held across the city to mark DonateLife Week, Mr Bell shared the story of Mount Gambier man Adam Dixon in State Parliament yesterday to highlight the importance of organ donation.
Adam was killed in January 2014 at the age of 18 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash when he was the passenger in a car that crashed into trees on Kangaroo Island.
As a result of the tragedy, Adam’s organs and tissues were donated, which has saved and significantly changed the lives of five recipients who have all enjoyed good health following their transplants.
“Just a week before the accident, in a casual conversation with his parents Matthew and Fiona, Adam told them he had registered to become an organ donor,” Mr Bell told parliament.
Fiona said Adam donating his organs was the “bright light out of a terrible situation”.
“It’s a pretty powerful thing to be able to say ‘yes’ to,” Fiona said.
“Adam touched a lot of lives.”
In the years since his death, Fiona, Matthew and sister Sarah have worked hard to raise awareness for organ donation and vital funds for research.
Yesterday Mr Bell joined them by raising the idea of introducing “opt-out” organ donation legislation, which has been successfully implemented in countries abroad.
“We should investigate the merits of introducing opt-out legislation, an approach which Matthew and Fiona Dixon support,” Mr Bell said.
“This approach effectively turns every South Australian into a potential organ donor unless they officially register to opt-out.”
Fiona said Adam’s registration reinforced what they already knew about Adam’s wishes when they were faced with the decision to donate his organs.
“At the end of the day, it is not black and white for everyone, the decision still lies with the family whether you are registered or not,” Fiona said.
“At least with an opt-out system families may have had that conversation because everyone will be automatically registered as a donor unless they opted-out.”
Fiona said the move to have an “opt-out” system should be viewed as a positive.
“Ultimately people still have a choice, but it will require that people be a little less apathetic because they will have to consciously think about their decision to opt-out,” she said.
“It’s great to see our member take on a cause and I am sure his motives are good because anything that helps people to have a better life or be alive is a good thing.”
