Players from the Goodwood Saints Football Club will join staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) on Friday August 30 to celebrate Jersey Day by wearing their favourite team colours. This initiative, in collaboration with Celsus, aims to enhance awareness about organ donation.
The public are also encourage to get on board with this noteworthy day, which is observed nationally to prompt discussions on organ and tissue donation.
This year the Goodwood Saints are participating in Jersey Day, to acknowledge the recent loss of their team member, Charlie Stevens, whose organs saved the lives of seven individuals.
Celsus, the company that manages non-clinical services at RAH, is leading this push for awareness. Di Mantell, CEO of Celsus and a former ICU nurse, stressed the importance of these conversations. “Conversations about organ donation and your choices, even if they start from something like wearing team colours to work, should be encouraged as they can help ensure your family supports your decision if ever needed,” said Ms Mantell.
Highlighting the critical role family consent plays in organ donation, she added, “Even if you are a registered donor, family consent is still sought.”
This will be the third consecutive year RAH and Celsus have hosted a Jersey Day event. Unfortunately, recent data from DonateLife points to a decline in organ donation consents in South Australia. Misunderstandings regarding the donation process are a significant barrier to family consent.
In support of the cause, Goodwood Saints Football Club President Jordan Dodd spoke about the club’s commitment to promoting organ donation discussions. “As a club, we are fully supportive of opening up conversations on organ and tissue donation wherever and whenever possible,” said Ms Dodd.
She recounted various initiatives by the club to keep the topic of organ donation in their ongoing dialogue. “We talk about organ donation a lot at our club – it’s part of our conversation from start-up season planning sessions with our teams to talks at the end of memorial games and even on the littlest things, like the Donate Life stickers on our canteen’s lolly bags.”
Jersey Day serves to honour the memory of Nathan Gremmo, a 13-year-old rugby league player who tragically died in a road accident in 2015. Nathan’s story became a poignant reminder of the life-changing impact of organ donations after he saved six lives posthumously.
Dr Stewart Moodie, the medical director at DonateLife South Australia said that last year alone, family consent resulted in 49 organ donors in South Australia, aiding around 120 individuals, as reported by “With more than 1,800 Australians waiting for organ transplants, discussing organ and tissue donation with your loved ones is increasingly crucial,” he said.
The event encourages individuals to register as organ donors which can be done at the Australian Organ Donor Register website.
By participating in Jersey Day and wearing their team colours, members of the Goodwood Saints and RAH aim to demonstrate their support for organ donation and spotlight the critical importance of discussing donation decisions with family.
WHAT: Jersey Day, raising awareness about organ donation
WHEN: Friday August 30th
To become an organ donor, join the Australian Organ Donor Register at www.donatelife.gov.au
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