Cricket for organ donation

Indian Welfare Association helps organise a cricket game to spread the word about organ donation

By MALLI IyER

The annual Jeevan Dhan Trophy for cricket was organised by Transplant Australia and the Indian Welfare Association recently. The Indian Community XI competed against the Australian Transplant CC for the Hookes Family Jeevan Dhan Trophy for 2013.

The IC XI scored 237 runs in their 30 overs allotted, captained by Prem Krithivasan. The ATCC team led by Paul Wulff made 168 runs, conceding the trophy to the Indian Community XI team by 69 runs. The trophy was presented by Robyn Hookes to the winning team. Robyn has done much to champion the cause of organ donation, ever since her husband David Hookes, one of Australia’s best-known test cricketers, donated his organs after his sudden and tragic death in 2004.

The game was umpired by Prof. Richard Allen, Head of Tranplant Australia and Malli Iyer, Manager of the Indian Community XI.

Dr. Harinath, former President of Cricket NSW, Stepan Kerkyasharian, Community Relations Commissioner, NSW, Greg Chappell, National Talent Manager, Cricket Australia, and Simon Taufel, ICC Umpires Elite Panel sent messages of support for the event.

An audience of approximately 100 visitors comprising of friends and family enjoyed the match, including the tasty Indian meal served during the lunch break. In an attempt to create awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation to the wider community, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the General Practitioners Association (GPA) offer complete support to endeavours by social groups such as the Indian Welfare Association. The cricket match was played under the auspices of these organisations, and helped in the awareness campaign for organ donation.

Recent advances in medical science and surgical techniques, tissue typing and immunosuppressive drugs have made it possible to achieve a much higher success rate in organ transplantation.

On top of this, there is a wider knowledge of organs and tissue regrown from the patient’s own stem cells in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. This is why there is an urgent need to reemphasise the ethical issues to our communities, to help them make a decision about participating in voluntary organ and tissue donation. The World Medical Association has recently reviewed and provided fresh guidelines to medical associations, physicians and other health care providers.

Organs eligible for transplant are heart, kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines and thymus.

There is an urgent need to re-emphasise the ethical issues to our communities, to help them make a decision about participating in voluntary organ and tissue donation

Tissue donation includes bones, tendons, cornea, skin, heart valves and veins. Prospective donors can register online or email AODR@ medicareaustralia.gov.au for more information.

The Australian Government encourages all Australians to discover, decide and discuss organ and tissue donation within family groups, with a view to hasten the availability of donated organs and give a ‘gift of life’ to someone.