AFL goes for lifesaving goal to encourage new organ donors

The Australian Government has announced a new partnership with the AFL to help lift the national organ donor rates.

Federal Aged Care Minister and Indigenous Health Minister Ken Wyatt advised “we’re proud to have the AFL on the organ donation team.

“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.

“But we are encouraging more Australians to sign up given we can and must do better, with around 1,400 Australians waiting for a lifesaving transplant right now.”

Federal Minister for Health and Minister for Sport Greg Hunt said that through the partnership, the AFL and AFLW would directly contribute to the online donor registration campaign by driving consistent and frequent messages across multiple channels and platforms.

Minister Hunt advised “this will include digital, at-match and social media promotions spearheaded by ambassadors across all clubs.

“With signing up now so quick and easy and Aussie Rules heroes promoting the DonateLife message, we hope thousands more people will jump online and register to save lives.”

New research commissioned by the Organ and Tissue Authority highlights the gap between the number of Australians willing to become an organ and tissue donor (67%) and the number of registered donors (33%).

While 90% of Australians believe it is important that their family knows their donation decision, just 56% have made a decision about becoming a donor and only 51% have discussed the subject with loved ones.

Young adults aged 18 to 24 years are the demographic most willing to receive a life-saving transplant if needed (75%) however only eight% of this age group have joined the Australian Organ Donor Register.

The Federal Government also unveiled a new online organ donor registration process which allows individuals to register to become a donor, using a mobile phone, tablet or computer.

For more information go to www.donatelife.gov.au

14th July 2017 - SENIOR AFL EXECUTIVES RESIGN OVER ‘INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS’

30th August 2016 - AUSTRALIAN ATHLETES GROUPS JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT

17th July 2016 - AFL INJURY SURVEY SHOWS SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN PLAYER CONCUSSIONS 

4th December 2013 - SURVEY TO HELP UNCOVER LONG-TERM IMPACT OF CONCUSSION IN ELITE AFL PLAYERS