Territorians are being reminded to discuss their organ donation wishes with their family during DonateLife Week this week.

DonateLife Week runs from Sunday 2 August to Sunday 9 August and encourages people to make a decision to be an organ and tissue donor and let their family know their wishes. This year, the local theme will be ‘Have the chat that saves lives’.

NT State Medical Director for Organ and Tissue Donation, Associate Professor Dianne Stephens, said: “We encourage everyone to get together and discuss organ and tissue donation with their loved ones.

“It’s about making your wish count. The conversation you have could one day save a life.

“Organ and tissue donation is such a generous gift. The lives of people waiting for a transplant, people who are so unwell, can be completely transformed by donation.”

As part of DonateLife Week, community awareness events will be held across the Northern Territory, including a launch at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets and displays in libraries and shopping centres in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Darwin:

Tues 4 – Sun 9:        DonateLife display at Palmerston Library

Wed 5 August:          9am-1pm DonateLife NT at Rosebery Middle School

Thurs 6 August:       11am-2pm DonateLife NT staff hosting healthy BBQ at the front of Royal Darwin Hospital

Other activities include DonateLife banners displayed on both the Trower Road and Tiger Brennan Drive overpasses, pink DonateLife coffee cups at various coffee outlets and the brightly coloured DonateLife sign-wrapped car on the streets of Darwin.

Alice Springs:

Wed 5 August 10-2pm:       DonateLife display & information at Alice Plaza

Sun 2 – Sun 9:                    DonateLife display at Alice Springs Pharmacy, Yeperenye Centre

Sunday 22 – Sun 9:            DonateLife banner hung on community event board

Sun 2 - Sun 9:                     DonateLife Display and coffee promotion at Gloria Jeans

Sunday 2:                            DonateLife sponsored rider participation in 6hr Enduro Mountain bike race, with information available at the start/finish line

More information is available via the website www.donatelife.gov.au under News and Events.

Media contact: Jason Gates 8922 8833 or 0419 818 414