The stars of Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning are joining The Great Registration Race to encourage more Australians to sign up as organ and tissue donors.
The reigning NRL premiers and two-time Suncorp Super Netball champions have signed a new two-year partnership with DonateLife, aiming to get all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation.
Registering only takes one minute, but could save up to seven lives. The renewal of the DonateLife partnership with Storm, which began in 2019, and the new partnership with Lightning comes at rhe start of DonateLife Week which is now in its 10th year.
Donate Life Week is a national awareness campaign that highlights the stories of those who have generously given donations as well as those whose lives have been improved after receiving a transplant.
DonateLife will be Storm and Lightning’s matchday partner in two upcoming games. Storm will highlight the initiative the round 20 NRL blockbuster against Penrith Panthers, with Lightning to follow later in the Suncorp Super Netball season.
As part of the partnership, Storm’s NRL squad will be wearing Donate life t-shirts and magenta socks at its Captains Run training session the day before the Panthers match, and announcements will be made at the game encouraging attendees to register on the spot.
Storm Group CEO Justin Rodski said the two clubs were honoured to have the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of others.
“Our goal is to have as many Storm and Lightning members and fans join DonateLife’s Great Registration Race,” he said.
“We want to encourage people to have the conversation with their loved ones about organ and tissue donation, and register that decision, so that more lives can be saved.”
Lightning CEO Danielle Smith reiterated Justin’s comments, acknowledging the importance of families and loved ones having these pivotal conversations.
“One simple conversation can change the future for an individual and that’s the incredible power behind this DonateLife campaign,” Smith said.
“We’re honoured to partner with DonateLife and Melbourne Storm on such an important cause and implore all of our members and fans to take a few minutes to register and share with loved ones.”
DonateLife’s CEO Lucinda Barry said: “We’re so excited to be working with Melbourne Storm again for the next two years, and to be adding Sunshine Coast Lightning to our partnership.
“Increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation, and encouraging families to talk about donation and registration, is vital to getting more people to say ‘yes’ to donation. “Working with Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning gives us a new way to reach more Aussies with this message.”
The Great Registration Race runs all July and August. There are around 13 million Australians aged 16+ who are eligible to register as an organ and tissue donor – but haven’t. DonateLife’s goal is to encourage 100,000 more Australians to join the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Storm will highlight the initiative the round 20 NRL blockbuster against Penrith Panthers, with Lightning to highlight the cause in their Round 12 clash on Wednesday.
It takes one minute to register, and all you need is your phone and Medicare card.
For more information, click here.
