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• HEALTH MINISTER JIM McGINTY LAUNCHES AUSTRALIAN TRANSPLANT GAMES

HEALTH MINISTER JIM McGINTY LAUNCHES AUSTRALIAN TRANSPLANT GAMES

June 17, 2008

"This event showcases the success of transplants and proves that the legacy of donors lives on", Mr McGinty said.

"Transplant recipients go on to live full and active lives and the Transplant Games will give Western Australians an opportunity to see first-hand the extraordinary impact the decision to donate can have.

"Competitors at the Games have received organ transplants, such as heart, lung, liver, bone marrow and kidney transplants.

"These Games will also be the first time tissue recipients are able to compete both in their own categories in exertion sports and against organ recipients in non-exertion sports."

The four Western Australians who will be the "faces" of the Games were also revealed:

• Julia Platt, 13, whose life was saved by a liver transplant at 14 months of age and is excited about competing in tennis singles at her first Transplant Games.
• The Overstone family, who donated their 17-year-old son Toms organs a year ago. They will be honoured at the Games along with other donor families and living donors.
• Anthony Myers, 7, who competed in his first Transplant Games in 2006, three years after a liver transplant. Anthony is set to compete in athletics and ten pin bowling at this years event.
• Derek Claridge, 61, who will put his donated heart to the test in the 100 metre sprint, 20kms bike ride and time trial, long jump, badminton and table tennis. Derek has been involved in national and world Transplant Games for six years .

Also at the launch was Southern River MLA Paul Andrews, who knows first-hand the benefits of organ donation after receiving a kidney transplant in 1992.

Western Australias first Transplant Games will be hosted by the City of Belmont from October 4-11 and the City of Perth will stage the opening ceremony and parade.

During the event, more than 1,000 participants from around Australia and other countries will take part in 23 sporting events.

Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas said the Transplant Games encouraged Australians to sign on to save lives by demonstrating the tangible benefits of organ and tissue donation.

"Despite public support and the clear benefits of transplantation, Australias rate of organ and tissue donation is amongst the lowest in the world," Mr Thomas said.

"In 2007 there were only 198 organ donors in Australia resulting in 626 transplants enhancing or saving the lives of 626 Australians. In Western Australia in 2007 there were only 19 donors.

"Tragically, at the start of this year more than 1,757 Australians were waiting for an organ transplant, including 122 Western Australians. Of those people waiting for a heart, liver or lung, 20 per cent will die before they receive the life-saving transplant.

"The Transplant Games create substantial publicity and families are more likely to agree to have their loved ones organs and tissue donated if they have recently been exposed to positive real life examples of post-transplant success stories.

The Games are hosted by Transplant Australia, a community-based charity representing recipients, donor families and living donors. Transplant Australia has branches in every State of Australia and aims to increase donation awareness, support recipients and all those touched by organ and tissue donation.

The Western Australian Government has contributed a total of $204,000 to the Games through partnerships with Eventscorp ($50,000) and Lotterywest ($154,000).

Other partners in the Games include the Federal Department of Health and Ageing; Australian Sports Commission; City of Belmont; and City of Perth.

HOW TO REGISTER TO BE AN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR: To sign on to the Australian Organ Donor Register visit www.donorregister.gov.au Phone 1800 777 203 or visit your local Medicare office and pick up a brochure.

For more information:

please phone Transplant Australia Chris Thomas: 0425 353 893 Julie Nance: 0428 511 040