The Australian Transplant Games plans to be one of the first national events back on to the calendar when it is held in Launceston Tasmania in April 2022.
Originally scheduled for September 2020, the Games were postponed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Transplant Australia was also concerned about the increased risks facing immune-suppressed transplant recipients if they had travelled for the Games.
However, Transplant Australia is confident that, with Australia’s successful suppression of the virus plus the expected successful rollout of the national vaccination program, the Games will be able to be staged from Tuesday 19 until Sunday 24 April 2022.
Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas, said after what will be effectively two years of lockdown, recipients will be looking forward to uniting to celebrate the gift of life.
“It’s been tough for everyone. Our recipient population face increased risks and they have felt the lockdowns more than most. Which is why is it so important Australia’s vaccination strategies, combining both Commonwealth and State health expertise, are so important,” Mr Thomas said.
“Transplant Australia has worked throughout the pandemic to help recipients and their families through this unprecedented interruption to our lives. Recipients certainly deserve a break and Launceston is the ideal location to stage the Games. We are hoping people come for a couple of weeks to enjoy Tasmania.
“You couldn’t pick a safer location. It is approaching 12 months since the last recorded Coronavirus case in Tasmania. We will have extra protocols in place to ensure everyone can enjoy these Games with a high degree of safety.
“We are also hoping that the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand will allow our Kiwi recipients to continue their Games representation.”
The Australian Transplant Games will attract transplant recipients, donor families, living donors and their supporters from across Australia. It will be a great opportunity for people in Tasmania who have never experienced a games.
Including more than 20 sports, the Australian Transplant Games range from high exertion sports such as athletics and swimming through to sports such as ten pin bowling and petanque. The Games will be held at various facilities around Launceston including the Northern Tasmania Athletics Centre, Launceston Leisure and Aquatic Centre, Silverdome and Symmons Plains Raceway.
The Games provide a focal point for raising awareness of organ and tissue donation, illustrating the importance for all Australians to sign onto the register.
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