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David Hookes Foundation
Very few cricketers have touched our hearts in the way that David Hookes has.
There was such an outpouring of goodwill following his death that many Australians felt something tangible should be done to perpetuate the memory of this swashbuckling unique larrikin Australian who never failed to remind us that in the end, above all else, cricket was just a game.
And then this wonderful moment when it emerged that David Hookes' family had complied with his wishes and had agreed to donate his organs. The story and headline, "Champion's Gift of Life", was carried locally and internationally.
There would be few who didn't thrill to the thought that a champion, in death, could give others hope and life. So the thought arose, why not make the enduring memory of David Hookes a practical commitment to the triumph of life through death? And that is organ donation. The awful tragedy which overtook David Hookes led to an idea that will perpetuate his memory in the most positive way. The end of this world for one need not be the end of the world for others.
You can register to become a donor through this website.
Thank you. What can be donated? Organs that can be donated are the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and pancreas. Tissues that can be donated are the corneas (the film on the front of the eyes), skin, bone and heart valves. An individual may specify which organs and tissue he or she wishes to donate on the Medicare form. Are there age restrictions for registering as an organ donor? If you’re aged 18 years or over, you can register your consent to donate your organs or tissue on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Equally, you can register your objection. If you’re aged between 16 and 17 years, you can register your intention to donate on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Individuals under 18 years can still become donors if a family member gives their consent. Statistics At 3rd January 2008, 1875 people were waiting for organ transplants: Kidney 1388 Heart 100 Liver 198 Lung 141 Pancreas 48
In 2007, there were 198 organ donors from whom 626 transplants were performed. Australia has one of the lowest donation rates in the developed world but with education and awareness this can easily be change. Both the elderly and the young can donate – the oldest cornea donor was 103!
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