Hindu Council of Australia signs statement of support with DonateLife campaign
Samir Vyas – third from left at the launch of ‘DonateLife…the greatest gift’ kit with otehr religious leaders and Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation is an issue that affects people from all walks of life and their families, both for those that require a transplant or those family members whose loved one may become a donor. Along with Dr Nihal Agar, others from the Indian community who signed their support are: Samir Vyas, priest of Sai Temple, Soma Rabi, priest of Sydney Shakti Temple and leaders of many religious faiths across Australia.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King launched a community education campaign kit designed to engage with Australians of different religious and cultural backgrounds about the importance of organ and tissue donation.
“DonateLife”¦the greatest gift” campaign kit by the Organ and Tissue Authority (OTA) has been developed in close consultation with religious and community leaders.
The campaign kit includes a video featuring key religious and cultural leaders, faith-specific and, where appropriate, in-language brochures and posters, and a collection of DonateLife Statements of Support signed by religious and cultural leaders.
“This important community education campaign aims to ensure that Australians from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds have access to culturally appropriate information about organ and tissue donation. Knowing your faith or culture’s position is very important for families when deciding about organ and tissue donation.
“It is important for those that have decided to become organ and tissue donors to discuss their donation wishes with their family, as in Australia the family of all potential organ and tissue donors will be asked to confirm their donation wishes.”
The Organ and Tissue Authority has been working with a number of different faith and cultural groups to develop resources for communities that are culturally appropriate and help to address potential barriers to decision-making and family discussion about organ and tissue donation.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, welcomed the launch of the campaign and said, “Australia is a vibrant multicultural nation and this campaign will help people from diverse backgrounds make an informed decision about organ donation.”
“I commend the religious and cultural leaders who have come together to save lives.”
The initial focus of the ”˜DonateLife”¦the greatest gift’ campaign is on engaging with people from Islamic, Buddhist, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Catholic and Hindu faiths and where appropriate in Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish and Turkish languages.
Ms King said, “The launch of this campaign marks the start of our long term engagement with all Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. I look forward to continuing our dialogue with other faith and community groups.
“I would like to thank the many faith and community leaders who have generously agreed to participate in this campaign. This will help to make Australians aware that many faiths accept organ and tissue donation as an act that saves lives.
Ms King said, “Religious and cultural leaders from across Australia have signed DonateLife Statements of Support acknowledging organ and tissue donation as an act of compassion and generosity.”
”˜DonateLife”¦the greatest gift’ campaign resource kits will be distributed to over 500 religious and community organisations during DonateLife Week to seek local community support to promote family discussion about organ and tissue donation.
To view the ”˜DonateLife”¦the greatest gift’ campaign kit and DonateLife Statements of Support visit www.donatelife.gov.au
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