Carlton’s leadership group set sail together on Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donations.
On Sunday afternoon, Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs, Patrick Cripps, Sam Docherty, Ed Curnow and Dennis Armfield all set sail on a cruise across the Docklands to support 12 people who have been affected first-hand by organ and tissue donations, with a number of guests on-board heading to the 2017 World Transplant Games held in Spain across June and July this year.
As part of a corporate package that was kindly donated via the Johns Lyng Group, on board were the Ackerman family – whose son tragically lost his life from a tackle in a rugby match and then become an organ and tissue donor.
Also boarding the yacht was Anna Modlin, a double lung recipient from San Fransisco who is in training in Australia for the 2017 World Transplant Games. Anna was dubbed ‘female athlete of the year’ at the 2016 American Transplant Games.
On board 'Blinder'. (Photo: Carlton Media)
Defender Sam Docherty said the afternoon on board put into perspective the importance of raising awareness about organ donations.
“There were a number of people on board the yacht today who were transplant recipients, donor families or living donors – but they had all been touched by organ and tissue donation and transplantation,” Docherty said.
“It was a great afternoon together learning about their stories, some of whom had tragically lost loved ones and then were able to potentially save another person’s life by organ donation."
Mr Kevin Green, a kidney recipient who works with donor families across Australia, said raising awareness was vital for further organ and tissue donations across the country.
American athlete Anna Modlin. (Photo: Supplied)
“To have the Carlton players here today just goes to show that they give up their time and for them to do this for us is highly important. They came here out of their own time to meet families that have lost a loved one and who lost one life, but subsequently saved many lives through donations.
“However the organ donation rate in Australia is pretty low, so I’d encourage people to simply discuss organ donations. It’s about raising awareness and having the conversations with your loved ones."
Mr Terry Holyoak, a double cornea recipient, was also on board the cruise and encouraged Australians to research the benefits of organ and tissue donations.
Terry Holyoak catches up with Patrick Cripps and Bryce Gibbs. (Photo: Carlton Media)
“Organ donation means you can give somebody a second chance. You can pass on your organs and give somebody a real second chance in life,” Holyoak said.
“The opportunity with the Carlton boys today means we can play a role in promoting the importance of organ donations, so I encourage people research this further."
To learn more about organ donations, visit donatelife.gov.au.
