Australian Transplant Games

The Organ & Tissue Authority is a major partner of the Australian Transplant Games.

ACT Health is a major supporter of the Australian Transplant Games.

Supported by the ACT Government under the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program.

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An Invitation to attend Australia’s largest awareness event for organ and tissue donation

01 January 2010

When scouting for a venue for the 12th Australian Transplant Games I recalled visiting the Australian Institute of Sport many years back when I was a medical journalist. The facilities blew me away. A superb Olympic-style pool, athletics track, purpose-built sports halls for an array of activities, and an atmosphere that says – yes, you’re in the heartland of the nation’s sporting prowess.

It wasn’t hard to convince the Board of Transplant Australia that this sporting mecca should stage our next Australian games.

And what better way to sell our powerful message about the benefits of organ and tissue donation to the nation than by staging the games in our politicians’ backyard.

But there is so much more to Canberra than its superb sporting facilities.

We are extremely fortunate that the powers-that-be at Floriade – the nation’s largest flower festival – have also understood the benefits of our games and have agreed to host our opening day activities including petanque, the opening parade and ceremony, and a concert promoting organ and tissue donation.

Throughout the week we will be accessing some of the finest sporting facilities both inside the Institute of Sport and around Canberra. The cycling venue at Mt Stromlow Forest Park has to be seen to be believed.

Underlying our entire organisation is the desire to create a real village at the Institute and all participants will be encouraged to take the meal package and make a real social event of the Games.

And what better way to cap off a superb week than by holding the Gala Dinner at the Great Hall of Parliament House?

Already the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority, ACT Health and the Australian Sports Commission are on board to help us deliver a wonderful games and promote the benefits of donation like only we can.

Its now up to those who have been touched by donation to make it a real success and block our their diary from October 2 – 10, 2010. We look forward to seeing you in our nation’s capital.

Chris Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Transplant Australia Ltd

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