Dr Feelgood Sunday16th February 2003

ORGAN DONATION AWARENESS WEEK

This coming week is organ donation awareness week - in my mind there is one really important issue , Everyone needs to discuss our feelings more with their family. Too many people find themselves in the tragic position of having a relative pronounced brain dead and they are asked whether they consent to their relatives organs and tissues being donated for transplant.

After death one person can help up to 10 other people. Better medical management of chronic diseases has lead to more and more people on the waiting list for transplant. Better road safety and management of head trauma has lead to less deaths from head trauma. Both of these are wonderful advances.

However a tragedy is, that for various reasons, Australia has one of the lowest rates of organ donation in the world. In too many situations the potential gift of life - a phoenix from the ashes of a tragedy - is missed because relatives don't know what their loved one wanted so when approached with the hard question - they take what they believe is the safest route - they decline donation. That's why its vital to discuss these issues openly

Statistics show that you are MUCH more likely to REQUIRE an organ transplant than ever actually BECOME A DONOR through a tragic death.

I have written an article on this topic - click on the Articles button on the left of the screen or click HERE 

You can register your intent to be a donor in case of death by signing on to the Organ Donor registry

Click HERE to visit the organ donor registry

PROCEDURE OF THE WEEK

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI)

Dr Julie Cameron is a Radiologist and she will explain all about the latest imaging techniques in particular MRI scan

click HERE to visit a great site - HOWE THINGS WORK and find out more about MRIs 

CONSUMER ADVICE 

CHOICE Magazine has just been released and this month topics include HRT and Financial Planners. Catherine Wolthuizen from the Australian Consumers Association will be joining  us to explain.

Click HERE top visit the Choice Magazine site 

HAS EATING AT HOME BECOME A TREAT ?

Maeve O'Meara leads gourmet safari's in Australia and around the world. She's someone who probably rarely eats at home. So if you think you're hardly home consider her life ! ( mind you I wouldn't mind joining her on one of her safaris yummmmm) You'll know Maeve from her segment on Channel 7's Better Homes &

Click HERE to visit the Better Homes and Gardens program website 

click HERE to visit Maeve's Gourmet Safari's

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS

The Springs Retreat, Hepburn Springs

Time to getaway from the city and grab some stress relief ? Then may be The Springs retreat at Hepburn Springs is the place for you Wayne Cross, Manager, of Hepburn Springs will tell us why

Click HERE to visit the Springs Retreat 

LIFE AND DEATH DECISIONS

QUALITY OR QUANTITY - WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS?

As a GP I am often consulted by older people about issues relating to death. We often discuss dying with dignity and what options they have to direct their life direction. Children and relatives of older people are sometimes faced with decisions about treatment options for their elderly relatives when the person themselves is unable to make those choices. This is not an easy thing to deal with when you have no idea what the wishes of the patient are. …… It is not often discussed in the public arena…..but I feel strongly that we should talk more about it if only to stimulate discussion amongst family members.

Dr Michael Murray is a geriatrician, an aged care specialist with St Vincents Hospital . He works with older people and it IS a topic they have high on their agenda.

CELEBRITY CHECK UP 

Paul Cronin

Paul Cronin has been the recipient of 4 Silver Logies for his Television performances. His role as Dave Sullivan in the World War II family Saga, The Sullivans, has made him a famous around the world. Before the Sullivans Paul was much loved as the motorcycle riding country cop, Senior Constable Gary Hogan in Matlock Police and later starring in his own series, Solo 1.

These days Paul is well known to radio audiences with his appearances as part of the 3AW Nightline and Remember when team.

Paul joins me today as my celebrity Check up

Click HERE to read an interview with Paul Cronin 

Click HERE to visit Crawford's and go to the various programs Paul has been involved with

EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW

CLEO's BATCHELOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Paula Joye Cleo is editor of Cleo magazine and she will be giving us a sneak preview of the 2003 Batchelor of the year finalists -to be released tomorrow in this month's Cleo Magazine

click HERE to visit CLEO MAGAZINE

GENEALOGY

Sue Macbeth our regular genealogist joins us again to help fond our family roots !

Click HERE to visit Sue MacBeth's site

Also see my links page for genealogy links