The Hon. Catherine King, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, recently released a new resource to help Australians overcome barriers to discussing organ and tissue donation.  In launching the resource, Ms King said that it will be a valuable resource.  She noted that it was developed by Gift of Life with a community awareness grant.

Community speakers are urged to undertake volunteer training through DonateLife ACT.  A copy of the resource is available at the DonateLife website. 

The new DonateLife campaign commenced on 5 June with the them of To donate life, ask them today.  OK?

The advertisement that has been running on television stations throughout the country can be viewed at the DonateLife website.

The Parliamentary Secretary's speech at the launch of the new campaign is available here.

The Chief Minister and Patron of Gift of Life, Jon Stanhope, has recognised six Canberrans for their outstanding contribution to organ and tissue donation awareness.  The ceremony, organised by Gift of Life with the support of DonateLife and ACT Health, was the last major activity during DonateLife week.

The recipients are:

• Ms Gai Brodtmann, MP, who received the Annette Taylor Award for Community Service
• Ms Genevieve Jacobs was awarded the Angus Fairbairn-Cody Award for Media Support
• Mr Steve Williams was awarded the Matthew Reynolds Award for Community Service
• Ms Karen Oliver received the Ben Wiseman Award for Health Care
• The Belconnen Chapter of the Canberra Lions Club received the Jenny Deck Award for Community Support
• Ms Anne Cahill Lambert was the recipient of a special award for outstanding contribution.

It was a glorious morning for more than 1,800 Australians to participate in the DonateLife walk on Wednesday, 23 Feb 2011.  Gift of Life again organised the walk with the support of the Australian Organ & Tissue Donation & Transplant Authority.

Building on the success of previous years, the DonateWalk gave participants to embrace the national message for DonateLife week:  Any day is a good day to discuss organ donation.
 
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l-r  Students from St Clare's College assist The Hon. Kevin Rudd, MP, The Hon. Catherine King, MP, Ms Katy Gallagher, MLA, Mr Stephen Jones MP and Mr David O'Leary to launch the DonateLife Walk. (photo IDPhoto.com.au)

The Organ & Tissue Authority has established a DontateLife Book of Life. Organisations or individuals have lodged stories with the Authority and the final version of the DonateLife Book of Life was launched by the Governor-General during DonateLife week in February 2011.

The book will be updated and if you are interested in nominating someone to appear in the book, the template should be completed and submitted via Gift of Life or via the DonateLife ACT agency or directly to the Authority.     


l-r The Governor General, The Hon. Catherine King, MP and Ms Robyn Gough (photo:  www.gg.gov.au)