Football match to kick start organ donation

A group of footballers who have been given a second chance at life will come together this Saturday 2 July with people who are in the game of saving lives every day to help raise awareness and support for organ donation.

The Transplant Australia Football team, which consists of organ transplant recipients, will host a football match against a combined team of health professionals from two of Australia’s largest transplant hospitals, The Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.

The match provides players with an opportunity to do something they love, but would have lost if not for the generous gift of organ donation.

The exhibition match is a way to promote the second chance of life provided by organ donation, and raise funds to support vital research into organ transplant treatment and technology.

Transplant Australia Football Club Chairman, Matty Hempstalk said: “The purpose of the club is to inspire Aussies to register as organ donors, and to give transplant recipients a goal towards health and physical activity.

“The benefits of sport are well-documented in helping recipients maintain a healthy body around their transplanted organ, while also providing positive mental and wellbeing outcomes.

“Transplant Australia has a long heritage of using sport to demonstrate the success of transplantation. The football club is a great initiative and will complement our Transplant Games program demonstrating that organ donation works.”

“Football can divide communities, but there are times when it clearly and obviously brings people together. This Saturday there is no better example of how the sport connects people, heart and soul……and kidney and liver and lung!”

The Transplant Australia Football team match commences at 5pm and will be the curtain raiser for the Brisbane City and Western Pride Australian Premier League match, at Spencer Park Newmarket.

The team is hoping to attract a crowd of organ donors, patients, families and anyone interested in supporting people to get a second chance at life.

The hospital team includes The Prince Charles Hospitals’ very own Dr Jeff Rowland, Prof John Fraser, Dr Peter Hopkins and Foundation’s Michael Hornby.

A portion of funds raised will help The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s research into heart and lung transplant – The Common Good.

Entry – $5 adults, $2 children and $10 families.

Saturday 2 July
5pm Kick Off
Brisbane City Football Club
Newberry St, Newmarket