FECCA Promotes Discussion of Organ and Tissue Donation in CALD Communities

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has launched Engaging CALD Communities in Organ and Tissue Donation Discussions, a new issue of our flagship magazine, Australian Mosaic.

The project is sponsored by the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) through a Community Awareness Grant received by FECCA.

Ms Mary Patetsos, FECCA Chairperson said: ‘FECCA is delighted to launch this issue of our magazine focused on organ and tissue donation today at the 2017 FECCA Conference in the multicultural city of Darwin.’

Ms Patetsos continued: ‘Organ and Tissue donation is important for Australians of all backgrounds.’

‘FECCA is pleased to participate in raising awareness of this topic among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities and we hope that it will lead to an increase in the number of people joining the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR) and a greater diversity among donors.’

This issue of Australian Mosaic is dedicated to discussions of organ and tissue donation among CALD communities and will serve as a useful resource for CALD community leaders to engage their communities on this important health issue.

Ms Patetsos said: ‘We know that the ethnic and/or cultural background of a potential donor and their family can impact the likelihood of consent for donation.’

‘While end of life decisions can be difficult to talk about, it is important that all Australians Discover the facts about organ and tissue donation, Decide to register on the AODR and Discuss their decision with their family and loved ones,’ she said.

‘Thanks to a new registration process it is now easier than ever to register your donation decision on the AODR,’ Ms Patetsos continued. ‘Visit donatelife.gov.au and you can register in just minutes. You just need your Medicare card’.

Just 33% (6.2 million) of Australians aged 16 years and over have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register, even though 69% believe that registration is the best way to ensure your donation decision in known.

Registration counts. Nine in ten families agree to donation proceeding when their loved one is a registered donor.

Australian Mosaic issue 47, Engaging CALD Communities in Organ and Tissue Donation Discussions, can be found on our website.

FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to the government, business and the broader community.