DONATELIFE WEEK

Over 1100 Rotary Clubs across Australia are urging families to ‘have the chat’ about organ and tissue donation with their loved ones and register their donation decisions during DonateLife Week.

Rotary Clubs will be issuing press releases to their local newspaper and radio station for publication and broadcast during that week. Clubs are also being urged to have one of their members speak at a local high school, using the materials available from the DonateLife website.

Rotary’s participation in DonateLife Week 2015 was prompted by the story of Jack Wilson, the grandson of one of the 21 Rotary District Governors in Australia. Jack was born with nephrotic syndrome, a congenital kidney disease which resulted in lengthy periods of hospitalisation.

Jack who had a kidney transplant at age 21 months is to be the face of the campaign.

“For Jack, a new kidney has meant a return to normal eating, boundless energy and no more lines (with their risk of infection). It’s such an incredible gift. We know that Jack will need more kidney transplants throughout his life, but for now we’re excited and hopeful for his future” says his mother Tammy Wilson.

Professor Jonathan Craig from Westmead Children’s Hospital Sydney said, “Australia is a world leader in organ and tissue transplants. But we depend entirely on the compassion of ordinary Australians who make a decision which enables us to change lives.”

“This campaign will reflect the theme for 2015/16 of our Rotary International President, Ravi Ravindran, Be a Gift to the World” said District Governor Maurie Stack.

DonateLife Week is Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation and is led by the Organ and Tissue Authority.

For more information, visit www.donatelife.gov.au or any Rotary club.