Terry Connolly ORGANised Walk

ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, today joined over a thousand Canberrans for the Terry Connolly ORGANised Walk at Regatta Point as part of Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week.

The walk is an important part of Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week (AODAW) - a national event to raise awareness of organ donation in Australia.

“The focus for this year’s awareness week is encouraging families to discuss each other’s wishes and become a DonateLife™ family - an initiative of the Australian Organ and Tissue Authority,” Ms Gallagher said.

“A DonateLife™ family is one that has discovered the facts about organ and tissue donation, made an informed decision about whether to become an organ donor, discussed as a family each other's wishes and made a commitment to uphold those wishes regarding organ donation.”

The Terry Connolly ORGANised walk is named in memory of Justice Terry Connolly who became a tissue donor following his sudden death in 2007. 

“We know there is strong support amongst the Canberra community for organ donation with more than 51,800 ACT residents already on the Australian Organ Donor Register,” Ms Gallagher said.

“It is wonderful to see so many people here today to show support, raise awareness of organ and tissue donation, and to honour the late Justice Terry Connolly. I would like to thank all of those involved in making this such a successful event.”

Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week runs until Sunday 28 February 2010.

24 February 2010