Blacktown City Council staff proudly wore their favourite sporting jerseys this week in support of Jersey Day 2025, joining thousands of Australians in starting important conversations about organ and tissue donation.
Jersey Day, held nationally on Friday 5 September, encourages schools, workplaces, and communities to wear a jersey and begin discussions with family and friends about registering as an organ and tissue donor. The campaign was inspired by the gift of life that 13-year-old Nathan Gremmo gave to six people when he became an organ donor.
Mayor of Blacktown City, Brad Bunting, also joined staff in wearing a Western Sydney Wanderers A-League jersey.
Mayor Bunting said, "Blacktown City Council is proud to stand with our staff and community on Jersey Day. By simply wearing a jersey, we can start a conversation that has the power to save lives. Organ and tissue donation is one of the most generous decisions a person can make, and it's important that families talk openly about their wishes."
In Australia, one organ and tissue donor can save or transform the lives of many people. Currently, around 1,800 Australians are waitlisted for a transplant, and a further 14,000 people are on dialysis, many of whom would benefit from a kidney transplant.
Jersey Day does not raise funds; instead, it is about awareness and action. Australians aged 16 and over can register to become organ and tissue donors via donatelife.gov.au, with registration taking less than a minute.
"Even if you are registered, your family will still be asked to confirm your decision. That is why days like this are so important — they encourage people to talk to their loved ones and make their wishes known," Mayor Bunting said.
