Jersey Day 2024
Sydney Adventist Hospital was awash in colour as staff showed off their favourite sporting jerseys to support Jersey Day.
Inspired by the gift of life given to six people by Nathan Gremmo when he became an organ donor at age 13, Jersey Day aims to boost and encourage discussions and thoughts around organ donation.
“We would love everyone to have this conversation with their loved ones, as saying you would like to donate is not enough. It’s important that your family know your wishes,” said Annaliese Gremmo, a nursing student and Nathan’s sister who currently works at the San.
“It was great to see so many staff involved on the day, and I hope that we have played a small part in creating further awareness on this very worthy cause, said Brett Goods, Adventist HealthCare CEO.
In Australia, simply saying you would like to donate is not enough. The final decision is made by surviving family members at the time of death. Therefore, their understanding and remembrance of your desire to donate is essential. The decision for them is made much easier if you are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR), reassuring them of your desire. With only 1 in 3 Australians registered on the AODR, Jersey Day hopes to inspire change, spark discussions and ultimately save more lives.
Currently there are around 1,800 Australians on a waitlist for a transplant; while a further 1,000 are on dialysis and could have an immeasurably improved quality of life with a kidney transplant.