NO ONE likes to think about their loved ones dying. To be asked in the hospital during traumatic circumstances whether you consent to their organs being donated must be confronting and upsetting.
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It makes it all the more important to have that conversation now.
Clearly knowing what your family wants can make that decision easier.
It also leads to higher donation rates.
As we enter national DonateLife week, a new television commercial will hit the air.
It tells the story of three Tasmanian men who all received life-saving organs.
Seeing the three happy, healthy men is the perfect story to tell to boost donor statistics and encourage people to register.
One policy mooted over the years to increase numbers and ease the waiting lists is an opt-out system for donations.
It shifts the onus to the minority - estimated to be about 25 per cent - who don't support organ donation to take themselves off the register.
However, the current system still allows family members to veto the decision even if the relative has registered as a donor.
While it would be controversial to take away the power of family members to overrule a decision, it also doesn't seem fair that someone who has unambiguously made their wishes clear might not have them upheld.
The Legislative Council debated a motion on an opt-out system in 2012, and a select committee also investigated the matter in 2008.
The motion did not pass because councillors were not convinced the system would lead to higher numbers, and thought better education and awareness on the current system would be more effective.
The general rule should be that if you would accept an organ, you must be willing to donate one.
Austria has an opt-out system, and a 99.89 per cent consent rate.
Interestingly, if you have opted out but then require an organ, you are put on the bottom of the waiting list.
Rumney independent MLC Tony Mulder told the Parliament during the motion that perhaps that explained the high rate.
At the end of the day, awareness does lead to better donation rates.
When the family members are aware of a person's wishes, 94 per cent of the time it is upheld.
Organ donation in Tasmania is rare.
This year alone, only one organ donation has gone ahead in the state.
Less than 1 per cent of people who die in hospital die in circumstances that make organ donation possible.
That said, last year across the country, 378 organ donors gave 1117 Australians a new chance in life.
A single donor can save 10 lives.
One of the stars of the commercial, Frank Coulson, was close to death when he received a liver.
Mr Coulson said there were no words to describe the gift of an organ.
He has been given a second chance.
Earlier this week, we heard the story of three-year-old Neddy Kelly who was born with renal failure.
The Kelly family also could not describe the gift of an organ donation, labelling it "just too big".
Whether Australia moves to an opt-out system, or a stronger education campaign, the easiest way to help is to have that tough discussion with family.
As the bumper stickers say: "Don't take them to heaven, because heaven knows we need them here."
