Readers's Digest: HealthSmart - Email your queries to our panel of donation and transplant experts

Have more questions about organ donation? Email our panel of experts and we'll publish their answers online. Please let us know if you do not wish for your questions to be published.

Reader Derek Smith writes:
Can you tell me if there is an age limit to persons wishing to enter their names onto the AODR?

Stephen Bendle, National Manager of Australians Donate responds:
There are no upper age restrictions for registering as an organ donor.

Any person over 18yrs can register their consent or objection to donation on the AODR. Individuals aged 16 and 17 can register their intention and along with any younger than 16, will require their parents consent for organ and tissue donation to occur.

While some people may feel they are too old or not healthy enough, decisions about the suitability for donation can only be done by experienced clinicians at the time that donation is considered.

Eye tissue donation and transplantation
Dr Peter Madden
Scientific Director
Queensland Eye Bank

Organ and tissue donation process
Email Professor Neil Boyce

Assoc. Prof Neil Boyce, MBBS (Hons), FRACP, PhD, MRACMA is a physician with a 15-year experience in systematic approaches to improving healthcare performance and a 30-year career in healthcare delivery. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine with Monash University and is currently the Executive Officer of LifeGift Victoria, with the Australian Red Cross Blood Service.

The Australian Organ Donor Register
Email Ms Jenny Whaler
Manager - AODR
Medicare Australia

Jenny Whaler has been with Medicare Australia for over 19 years. She is currently responsible for the administration of the Australian Organ Donor Register since it's commencement in November 2000. Jenny will be able to answer any queries about the Register

Bereavement and grief
Email Ms Alison Barnwell
Coordinator of Bereavement Services
Organ Donation Network NSW/ACT
Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Alison Barnwell has been a registered psychologist since 1994 and has presented extensively at national and international conferences on all aspects of donor family care.

Tissue donation and transplantation (other than eyes)
Ms Kellie Hamilton
Senior Scientist
Donor Tissue Bank of Victoria

Other questions about organ donation
Email Mr Stephen Bendle
National Manager
Australians Donate

Australians Donate is a non-profit incorporated association which is the peak body for the organ and tissue donation and transplantation sector. Their vision is for organ and tissue donation for transplantation to be an accepted part of Australian life.