11 September 2024

 

THE the celebration of Jersey Day in early September, which raises awareness of organ donation, encouraging people to wear a jersey and begin the conversation with their family and friends about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor, there is never a better time than now to start a conversation.

 

Jersey Day was inspired by the gift of life that Nathan Gremmo gave to six people, five young adults and a baby, when he became an organ donor at the age of 13.

 

Honouring the gift of life given by Nathan Gremmo, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch encourages Coasties to go online and pledge to give the gift of life to those in need.

 

“Organ donation saves lives, and increasing awareness and consent is fundamental to lifting the donation rate. It’s gut wrenching knowing that more than 50 Aussies passed away last year while on the organ transplant wait list,” Ms Tesch said.

 

Ms Tesch says that opportunities for transplants are being missed because families are uncertain about their loved one’s wish to be a donor.

 

“I encourage people who are considering becoming an organ donor, or already are organ donors, to have conversations with their family and friends, letting them know of your wishes.

 

“Families are always asked to support someone’s decision to be a donor before donation goes ahead. Families are much more likely to agree if their loved one is registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register, and their family knew they wanted to be a donor. It therefore so important that you begin the discussion today and not only register for organ donation, but begin the conversation with your family and friends.”

 

Anyone aged 16 and over can register at donatelife.org.au to become an organ donor in just one minute, or with three taps in the Medicare app. People who think they may have already registered can perform an online check in just one minute.

 

Data shows that four in five Australians say they support donation, but only 36 per cent are registered.

 

“I urge our generous Coasties to please register as an organ and tissue donor. Just a minute of your time today can change so many lives in the future should the worst happen,” Ms Tesch said.

 

One organ donor can save the lives of up to 7 people and help many more through eye and tissue donation. For the seriously ill, an organ or tissue transplant can mean the difference between life and death, being healthy or sick, seeing or being blind.

 

In 2023, more than 47,000 people in NSW registered as an organ and tissue donor. There were 142 people in NSW who died and became organ donors, giving the gift of life to 392 transplant recipients.

 

More information about Jersey Day and Nathan Gremmo’s inspiring story can be found here.

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