Over 40 enthusiastic motorbike riders helped promote organ donor registration during an inaugural ride from Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie on Saturday.
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Organised by Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker, the awareness-raising ride help spread the message about the value of organ donations.
Mr Hartsuyker said that just one in three Australians is a registered organ donor.
“That’s the reason we are today riding the length of the Cowper electorate,” he said.
“We want to show everyone in our region that they can register to be an organ donor and that simple task can change the lives of up to 10 people.
“Throughout the weeks leading up to this ride, I’ve met some truly phenomenal people and heard their experiences of organ donation – organ recipients, the families of organ donors and those waiting for organs.
“These people and their stories cemented for me the fact that we need to do better in this area and there’s so much room for improvement.”
We want to show everyone in our region that they can register to be an organ donor and that simple task can change the lives of up to 10 people.
- Cowper MP Luke Hartsuyker
Mr Harsuyker said he was pleased to meet several people who are recipients of organ donations during the lead-up to the ride.
One of those recipients, Tamworth’s Craig Lee and Port Macquarie’s Khyleah Magnus were at the finish of the ride.
“I hope that some of the 1400 Australians on the organ waiting lists receive the organ they so desperately need because of someone who registered to be an organ donor as a result of the awareness we raised through these DonateLife Week events,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lions Clubs throughout Cowper who were a fantastic support this week, manning stalls in their local areas to encourage everyone to register.”
Other sponsors of the motorbike ride included BCU, Westport Club, and Telstra who ‘were all a tremendous supporters to this motorcycle ride’.
“They have also helped raise awareness for organ donor registration throughout DonateLife Week,” the Cowper MP added.
“There are so many people who contributed towards this day being such a success and unfortunately there just isn’t time to thank them all individually. But they all know who they are and I would like to thank them so much for their support and assistance in raising awareness for such an important and worthy cause."
For more information about organ donation in Australia and to register your organ donation wishes, visit http://register.donatelife.gov.au