The AFL, all 18 AFL Clubs and the Australian Government, through the Organ and Tissue Authority, are pleased to announce a partnership to support DonateLife Week 2017 and organ donation.
In an industry first, the AFL and all 18 AFL Clubs will come together to promote DonateLife Week, which falls over Round 20 of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
DonateLife Week (July 30 – August 6) aims to encourage Australians to make their organ donation decision count by joining the Australian Organ Donor Register online, to help end the wait for the 1,400 Australians in needs of a life-saving transplant.
AFL General Manager of Clubs Travis Auld noted the significance of this partnership with the Organ and Tissue Authority.
“The AFL is proud to be partnering with the Australian Government to get the message out about organ and tissue donation,” Mr Auld said.
“Our game reaches all corners of Australia – with over 1.4 million people playing the game across 14,772 community footy teams on top of our 18 AFL Clubs and eight AFLW Clubs – we feel we can make a difference to the lives of the many Australians needing life-saving transplant.
“On behalf of the AFL and the 18 AFL Clubs, we encourage fans to have the important conversation with their family about organ and tissue donation and then visit the DonateLife website to register.”
Across Round 20 of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership Season a number of initiatives will be rolled out to support DonateLife Week.
Aged Care Minister and Indigenous Health Minister The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP helped to announce the new partnership with the AFL today alongside Fremantle AFLW player Amy Lavell to help lift national organ donor rates.
“We’re proud to have the AFL on the organ donation team,” said Minster Wyatt.
“Having all 18 clubs and the AFL Women’s League going hard for the goal of more organ donors promises to be a winner for everyone.”
Last year, a record 1,713 Australians received a transplant thanks to the generosity of 503 deceased and 267 living organ donors and their families.
The AFL’s partnership to promote organ donation aims to help close the gap between the two-thirds of Australians willing to become donors and the one-third who are currently registered.
Along with the new online registration form at www.donatelife.gov.au , Australians can still join the Australian Organ Donor Register online via the myGov, Medicare Express Plus and Department of Human Services websites, and by submitting printed forms.
