Cricket for organ donation

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

 
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.
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.
Organs eligible for transplant are heart, kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas, intestines and thymus. Tissue donation includes bones, tendons, cornea, skin, heart valves and veins. Prospective donors can register online or email 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.