With a drone taking images from overhead, year 9 students from Canberra Grammar School spelt out the importance of organ and tissue donation in the ACT on Friday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Last year, the ACT had 20 organ donors, which saved the life of 59 people though transplants.
On Wednesday morning, more than 5000 people are expected to take part in Gift of Life's annual DonateLife Walk around Lake Burley Griffin.
Gift of Life president David O'Leary knows all too well the value of organ donation. He received a liver transplant in 1990 after developing acute hepatitis following a work trip to Papua New Guinea.
The organ transplant saved his life.
"You just never know. You can be as healthy as you like. I was in my early 40s, never had a thing wrong with me, and bingo, next minute I'm on death's door. And I was in a coma before the surgery, so I was literally on the way out," Mr O'Leary said.
Mr O'Leary, 71, said Wednesday's walk was an opportunity for people to think about and talk over with their family the decision to sign up to the Australian Organ Donor Register.
"Although more than 80 per cent of Australians surveyed feel its important to register a donation decision, just one in three have done so," he said.
Pat Siciliano, 59, had a pancreas and kidney transplant 10 years ago due to complications from being an insulin-dependent diabetic.
The professional squash coach has also been working three days a week at Canberra Grammar and was glad to see the boys help publicise the importance of organ donation
"Both of us are involved in this because we were among the lucky ones," Mr O'Leary said.
Reece Cummings from Canberra Grammar's community development office, said about 140 year 9 boys participated in Friday's event because it was part of the school's desire to give back.
"Canberra Grammar School has a strong commitment to community service and many families and students have been involved in the DonateLife walk in previous years," Mr Reece said.
The Australian Donation and Transplantation Activity Report 2016 shows nationwide a 17 per cent increase in the number of transplant recipients and 16 per cent increase in the number of organ donors compared to 2015.
In 2016, across the nation, 841 kidneys, 283 livers, 124 hearts, 386 lungs and 52 pancreases were donated from deceased donors, saving 1507 lives.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr will be taking part in Wednesday's walk.
"Gift of Life's annual walk is so important for the community as it encourages families to consider organ and tissue donation in a relaxed and positive environment," Mr Barr said.
The walk will be held on Wednesday, March 1 starting from the Patrick White Lawns between the National Library of Australia and the lake at 6.45am for a 7am start.
For register for the walk go to www.giftoflife.asn.au
