Natasha Richardson's organs donated

Media Release

GiveLife NZ

26 March 2009

Natasha Richardson's organs donated

Publicity surrounding the news that Natasha Richardson donated her organs to save the lives of others has been welcomed by organ donor advocate Andy Tookey.

Richardson, wife of actor Liam Neeson died after a skiing accident. She became a donor after cardiac arrest rather than being brain dead.

Brain death is the most common required condition to being a donor.

New Zealand introduced the new Donation after Cardiac Death criteria last year which resulted in two extra donors being added to the 29 brain death donors in 2008.

"I am pleased they chose to reveal that Richardson was a donor rather than keeping it quiet" said Tookey.

"Celebrities and role models could dramatically increase the number of people who are prepared to be donors by their promotion of organ donation.

It would help New Zealand's low organ donor rates if our own celebrities publically promoted organ donation.

Obviously I would prefer them to promote it through their power of communication rather than promoting it by becoming a donor through an untimely demise."

ENDS

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