Football fans are being reminded to join the Australian Organ Donor Register during DonateLife Week, Sunday 29 July – Sunday 5 August, with Football Federation Australia (FFA) announcing its continued support for life-saving organ and tissue donation.
DonateLife and FFA launched the continuation of their partnership at the FFA Cup match between Rockdale City Suns and Sydney FC in Rockdale, Sydney on Wednesday. Seventeen-year-old heart transplant recipient, Callum Gordon, helped kick off the collaboration, presenting the ball at Wednesday’s match.
“We’re thrilled that the FFA is continuing its support through to the FFA Cup Final this year, helping us reach the millions of Australians encouraging them to register and tell their family they want to be an organ or tissue donor,” said Ken Wyatt AM, the Minister responsible for DonateLife and the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority.
“We are working with our Community partners, including the Transplant Australia Football Club, with members of this team representing the face of the lives saved through organ and tissue donation.”
He said that while Australian donation rates and transplant outcomes have increased significantly, there was more to be done to improve outcomes for the 1,400 Australians currently waitlisted for a life-saving transplant.
“Over the last nine years, the number of deceased organ donors has more than doubled, and the number of Australians receiving a transplant has increased by 75%.
“But with just one in three Australians currently registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register, we need more people to register in order to save more lives.”
The FFA’s support will extend to match day activations and a nineteen-week digital campaign, including promotion of the registration message on social media. Players are throwing their support behind the campaign in a series of promotional videos.
“It’s stories like Callum’s that make us proud to be on the DonateLife team,” said David Gallop AM, Chief Executive Officer of the FFA.
“Knowing that a single donor has the potential to save many lives, we’re hoping thousands of football fans will be prompted to make their decision count this DonateLife Week,” Mr Gallop said.
Minister Wyatt echoed that sentiment.
“We know registration has a direct influence on donation rates, with nine in ten families agreeing to donation when their loved one is a registered donor,” Minister Wyatt said.
“So what are you waiting for? It takes less than a minute to register at donatelife.gov.au – all you need is your Medicare Card number.”
DonateLife Week runs from Sunday 29 July to Sunday 5 August.
