Federal Member for Flinders, the Hon Greg Hunt MP today announced funding of $6,780 to the Bass Coast Breakers Women’s Football Team to encourage more local community members to discuss with their families and register to become organ and tissue donors.
“This is about saving and changing lives,” Minister Hunt said. “The funding is an important part of the Turnbull Government’s Community Awareness Grants Program, administered by the Organ and Tissue Authority.
“The team will be holding a female football showcase where organ and tissue donation will be promoted; this will include organised talks with each team to create understanding and awareness of the importance of organ donation.”
“I look forward seeing this showcase in action and applaud the Bass Coast Breakers for helping to lift the number of registered local organ and tissue donors.”
The 2018 grants program is supporting 20 local, community-based projects across the nation, aimed at increasing organ and tissue donation awareness.
The majority of funded projects will directly support DonateLife Week, 29 July – 5 August 2018.
“I encourage residents from all across the electorate to get involved in DonateLife Week by supporting local events, having your own workplace morning tea or by registering your decision to become a donor online,” Minister Hunt said.
“The DonateLife website has a number of resources for everyone to download and use, including a supporter kit with information about how to get involved.”
While Australia has more than doubled the number of deceased organ donors, and saved more than 10,000 lives since the national program began in 2009, the national consent rate remains at around 60 per cent.
Registering to be a donor directly influences consent rates, with nine in ten families agreeing to donation proceeding when their loved one is a registered donor
“It’s important to understand what a difference organ donation can make,” said Minister Hunt.
“Currently 1,400 Australians are waitlisted to receive a donated organ and more than 11,000 people are on renal dialysis, many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant.”
To view the list of the 20 successful Community Awareness Grants recipients visit http://www.donatelife.gov.au/tenders-and-grants
To join the Australian Organ Donor Register visit http://donatelife.gov.au