Australia’s staging of the World Transplant Games in Perth in 2023 received a major boost in last night’s Federal Election.
Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas, today thanked the Government, and in particular, the Minister for Sport, Senator The Hon. Richard Colbeck, for its investment in the World Transplant Games.
Transplant Australia has been allocated $400,000 to specifically promote organ and tissue donation through the World Transplant Games. This is in addition to the $600,000 it received in last year’s budget to help with staging the world-class event.
“The World Transplant Games is an important fixture on the sporting calendar for transplant recipients. But it also provides a unique opportunity to cast a spotlight on the lives of those saved by the gift of life,” Mr Thomas said.
“Next year up to 2,000 transplant recipients from 60 countries will be in Perth participating in the Games. The event unifies the world under the banner of organ donation and encourages communities to support this life-saving gift.
“This investment will enable Transplant Australia to maximise this unique opportunity to help the 1,800 Australians currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. We are looking forward to working closely with the Organ & Tissue Authority to ensure the need for more Australians to register as donors is promoted through the Games.”
The World Transplant Games will be held in Perth from April 15 to 21 next year. Over six days 17 sports will be on offer for those with heart, liver, lung, kidney, pancreas and bone marrow transplants. The Games is the world’s largest awareness event for donation.
The Australian Government through the Commonwealth Department of Health and the Organ & Tissue Authority and the Government of Western Australia are Major Partners of the Games.
Mr Thomas was pleased Senator Colbeck understood the opportunity to promote donation through the event as well as the inclusion of the Games in the Government’s calendar leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
“Transplant Australia is an important National Sporting Organisation with a Disability as well as a charity with a life-saving message,” Mr Thomas said.
“We play a strong role in helping recipients to recover their lives while also promoting the need for all Australians to support donation through registration.”
The investment is part of the Government’s commitment to enhancing the lives of Australians through sport.
About Transplant Australia
Transplant Australia exists to make the most of life – promoting the life-saving benefits of organ and tissue donation to the Australian public and supporting those most vulnerable through their journey back to the fullness of life. Transplant Australia’s mission is to be a strong advocate for best practice in the organ and tissue donation sector, to promote its life saving benefits to governments and the Australian public and to provide all those touched by transplantation with support, education and guidance to improve their health, quality of life and well-being.
About the World Transplant Games
The World Transplant Games, hosted by Transplant Australia and sanctioned by the World Transplant Games Federation, will be held in Perth, Western Australia, in April 2023.
For further information
Chris Thomas
Transplant Australia
0425 353892
chris.thomas@transplant.org.au
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