With National DonateLife Week underway from Sunday, it’s once again important to discuss the issue of organ donation with family members.

For some it could be an uncomfortable conversation, but it is necessary.

No one really likes to discuss death and what should happen if something untoward were to happen.

However, talking about organ donation with your nearest and dearest is more than essential.

Only one in three Australians have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register.

To some that may sound like quite a lot, but it’s not considering 81 per cent of Australians believe registration of donation decisions is important.

DonateLife week will run from Sunday to August 7 and the National Organ and Tissue Authority has asked all residents “what are you waiting for” as they urge the population to make their intentions known on the national register.

Obviously this is a personal choice and it is each individual’s decision. However, the benefits are certainly up there.

For those able to donate organs at their passing, it’s such a gift to those that need it.

It would also hopefully give the donor’s family some sort of sense of pride even though their loved one has passed away.

The other flip side is - imagine it was your loved one that was in desperate need of a transplant? For some, this doesn’t just happen.

It’s a long and painful process for those with serious illnesses. Some can be on the waiting list for years.

A simple conversation with family members can ensure at that unfathomable time of someone’s death that a decision is made quickly and swiftly and another person’s life could be saved.

Did you know that one organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people?

Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes. Around 1500 people are on the Australian organ transplant waiting lists at any time.

However, there is good news. Last year 435 organ donors gave 1241 Australians a new chance in life.

The number of organ donors in 2015 was the highest since national records began. So, with DonateLife Week here, why not make the time to have this important discussion?