It is really important that you register your consent to be an organ donor and/or tissue donor on the Australian Organ Donor Register.

This is the only national register for organ and tissue donation for transplantation.

To record your consent on the donor register you will need to complete and return a donor registration form.

Even if you have expressed an intention to donate organs or tissue by some other means in the past, e.g. by ticking a box on a drivers licence renewal, you will need to complete a registration and have it recorded on the National Donor Register.

It is important that you discuss your decision with your family, partner, or close friends.

They will be an important part of the donation process and therefore should be made aware of your consent.

Tea Gardens Lions Club recently hosted a group of Lions members from the Brackenridge Lions Club in Brisbane.

The Lions were supporting Joshua Morman, who is riding his bicycle from Brisbane to Melbourne during Organ Donor Week to raise awareness of the need to participate in this program.

Joshua is a 15-year-old student who was touched by the need for donors as his mother recently received a liver transplant only days before her life was about to end due to the unavailability of a suitable donor for over 12 months.

Joshua was an inspiration to his community and the National Bank purchased his cycle and provided funds for his logistical support.

The Lions Clubs along the route are billeting the group. Donations are not being solicited but we are being encouraged to fill in a registration to support the program.

Tea Gardens Lions Club will distribute the registration forms when they are received and we will advise the community via the NOTA where they can be obtained.

The Organ Donor Register is a Commonwealth Government initiative supported by Medicare Australia.

For individuals who wish to obtain the forms direct, call 1800 777 203 or mail to Australian Organ Donor Register, Reply Paid 711, Hobart TAS 7001 or visit your local Medicare Office.