JMR WITH MINISTER FOR REGIONAL HEALTH COULTON
The Australian Government is providing up to $450,000 in Community Awareness Grants for community-based initiatives that encourage more Australians to say “yes” to organ and tissue donation.
Minister responsible for the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA), Mark Coulton, said Community Awareness Grants offer unique opportunities for local groups to help improve the chances of Australians receiving the organ or tissue they need.
“Increasing awareness about organ and tissue donation and encouraging families to talk about donation and registration, is vital to getting more people to say “yes” to donation,” Mr Coulton said.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson encourages community groups, local businesses and not-for-profit organisations to apply for a grant to help drive community awareness about the importance of donation, family discussion and increasing the number of registrations on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
“We know community groups and local businesses often have great ideas but do not have the resources to bring their ideas to life – these grants help support those ideas.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on Australia’s national program to increase organ donation so that more people can receive a life-saving transplant,” Senator Henderson said.
“It is critical that we engage with community groups in 2021 to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. One day it might be you, or a family member that needs a transplant. This is why we need to do more.
“The easiest way to increase donation outcomes is to raise consent rates, meaning more people say “yes” to donation. This can be achieved by more families talking about donation and registering to be donors.
“I hope to see a number of applications from regional Victoria and I encourage everyone to talk to their family and register to be an organ and tissue donor at donatelife.gov.au.”
The 2021 Community Awareness Grants are provided by the Organ and Tissue Authority as part of its national Community Awareness and Education Program.
Applications for these grant opportunities open on Monday 8 February 2021 and close at
5:00pm AEDT on Sunday 7 March 2021.
For more information about the Community Awareness Grants, including the assessment criteria and the application process, visit www.donatelife.gov.au/grants
11 February 2021