Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie today welcomed funding of $7842 to the Tallangatta Football Netball Club to encourage more North East residents to talk about organ and tissue donation and register on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
The Liberal and Nationals Government has awarded $407,194 in Community Awareness Grants to projects across Australia as part of its Community Awareness and Education program administered by the Organ and Tissue Authority.
“20 national and local community-based projects have been awarded funding, including DonateLife-focused events at Tallangatta expanding on an initiative that started in 2018 between Tallangatta and Rutherglen clubs,” Senator McKenzie said.
“It also incorporates a week of education and information sessions involving Tallangatta Secondary College.
“It all works to increase awareness of organ and tissue donation in Australia.
“The government recognizes local and community based projects make a difference.
“I encourage the wider community to get behind Tallangatta Football Netball Club who are promoting organ and tissue donation through awareness and educational events focusing on young adults and families.”
Of the 20 projects funded, 14 will launch during DonateLife Week 2019.
DonateLife Week, Australia’s national awareness week dedicated to promoting organ and tissue donation, will be held from Sunday, July 28, to Sunday, August 4, 2019.
This DonateLife Week all Australians are encouraged to register to be an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au to have the opportunity to one day save lives.
Around 1400 Australians are waitlisted for a transplant and a further 11,000 Australians are on dialysis, many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant.
“If you are sick, a transplant can mean the difference between blindness and seeing, walking or not, and sadly, life and death,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Organ donation is not an isolated act, it involves family, loved ones, friends and the local community to get involved and talk about registering as an organ and tissue donor.”
To view the list of the 20 successful Community Awareness Grants recipients and to register as an organ and tissue donor visit http://www.donatelife.gov.au