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20 April 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
VALE Mark Cocks, AM
Transplant Australia today recognised the enormous contribution of its former long-term CEO, Mark Cocks AM, who passed away overnight after a long illness.
Mark, CEO of Transplant Australia since its inception 12 years ago, received an Order of Australia Medal in 2006 for his services to the advancement of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Transplant Australia Chairman, Bernie Morellini, said today that Mark was universally acknowledged with saving the lives of many Australians through his untiring work promoting organ and tissue donation.
Mark was a passionate advocate for transplantation. He had received two donor kidneys himself and knew first-hand the living miracle achieved through transplantation, Bernie said.
His contribution was recognised with his appointment to the World Transplant Games Federation and he served as its Treasurer for three years from 2004.
Mark was the Director of the highly successful World Transplant Games in Sydney in 1997 and advised on international games in other countries.
Mark was responsible for growing the Transplant Games movement in Australia over the past 12 years and was responsible for the staging of the Games in Australia every two years. The Transplant Games is recognised as an effective way of increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation. He was also a strong advocate for Aboriginal health awareness. His advice was sought after by Federal and State Governments alike where he served on many committees.
For many years Mark battled with his health but he tirelessly strove to spread the transplant message with his warmth and passion for helping others.
In his earlier years, Mark was a successful tennis player reaching the top 100 in the world in the early 1970s, later becoming a leading tennis coaching professional in New York.
Mark was aged 54 and is survived by his wife Viola and two children.
For further information contact Transplant Australia CEO, Chris Thomas, on (02) 9922-5400 or (0425) 353-893.
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