Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Lady Cosgrove, federal Health Minister Greg Hunt, ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris, Labor's spokeswoman on health Catherine King and thousands of Canberrans helped raise the issue of organ donation at the annual DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin on Wednesday morning.
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The walk is organised by Gift of Life, with president David O'Leary saying about 4500 people took part.
"I'm very happy with that. I think that's a lot of people to turn out for walk of this kind," he said.
"It shows there's great interest in the community in the whole issue, which is encouraging."
Ms Fitzharris had earlier announced the ACT government had committed $150,000 to Gift of Life to help it continue its work in the community, highlighting the importance of being an organ and tissue donor.
"We know that 88 per cent of families agree to donation when their loved one is a registered donor, compared with just 52 per cent when the potential donor has not registered or discussed their donation wishes," she said.
"That's why raising awareness of organ and tissue donation, signing up and encouraging people to have the conversation with their loved ones is so important."
One of the major aims of the walk is to encourage people to sign up to the the Australian Organ Donor Register. It records a person's decision about donating their organs and tissue for transplantation after death.
Mr O'Leary said he did not have final figures but there had been a good response to people signing up for the registry on the day.
Ms Fitzharris said the ACT government would also contribute to establishing a national garden of appreciation at the National Arboretum Canberra to "celebrate the gift donors have passed on and the new life recipients have received".
Sir Peter was also enthusiastic about the day.
"It was a perfect Canberra morning to join the hundreds of Canberrans for the Gift of Life DonateLife Walk," he said.
"This is an event that means so much to so many – especially those whose loved ones have given life, and to those who have received it.
"The rate of donations have increased over the years, but there is still more to be done – and includes people letting their family know if they wish to donate."
