Mr Edwards, a Bendigo man for 30 years, had a liver and kidney transplant last year.

After suffering the effects of a liver disease for more than 10 years, he said the transplants had been both life-saving and life-changing.

Mr Edwards' comments come in the lead-up to Organ Donor Awareness Week, which begins on Friday.

LifeGift, Victoria's organ donation service, has urged people to consider registering as an organ donor, saying one donor has the potential to improve the life of up to 10 other people.

Mr Edwards has amyloidosis, which he said is produced by the liver and then affects other organs and the nervous system.

Mr Edwards said he feared he would end up like other affected members of his family.

"If I hadn't had the liver transplant I would have ended up in a wheelchair - my nerve endings were starting to die," he said.

He said the transplants had changed both his life and that of his wife, Madeleine.

"We used to travel a lot before I was on dialysis; we hope to get back to that life again," Mr Edwards said.

Prior to the operation, Mr Edwards was on dialysis for up to 15 hours per week.

He said it was important people realised the impact their donation could have.

"It is an incredibly generous offer from that donor's family, at a time of great sadness for them," he said.

Organ Donor Awareness Week runs from February 18 to 25.

To join the Australian Organ Donor Register, telephone 1800 777 203 or visit www.hic.gov.au