The 24th World Transplant Games have kicked off today in Perth, with 1500 athletes and their supporters from almost 50 countries coming together to compete and celebrate the gift of life.
Athletes competing at the World Transplant Games are organ or bone marrow recipients with some events also open to organ donors and donor family members.
The Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney attended today as competition started with DonateLife's 5km Fun Run.
The Games, hosted by Transplant Australia, will include 17 different sports including tennis, swimming, athletics, cycling, darts and golf.
The Australian Government has provided funding of $1.6 million to ensure the success of the games.
The World Transplant Games highlights the benefits of organ and tissue donation. One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people and help many others through eye and tissue donation.
Nearly 17,000 Australians have benefited from an organ transplant since the DonateLife national program began in 2009, with thousands more helped through tissue donation.
The Government urges Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation with their families and importantly register on the DonateLife website at www.donatelife.gov.au or through their Medicare account.
The 24th World Transplant Games run from 15 - 21 April 2023. This will be the third time the Games have been staged in Australia, with previous Games in Sydney in 1997 and the Gold Coast in 2009.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport Anika Wells
"The World Transplant Games in Perth are a valuable and truly meaningful week-long sports event showcasing inclusion and the ability to overcome adversity.
"The games also inspire everyone to improve, no matter their ability, health and wellbeing through regular participation in sport and recreational activities.
"The World Transplant Games are an important element of Australia's green and gold decade as we host several major sports events on the runway to Brisbane 2032."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney
"The World Transplant Games brings athletes, their families and supporters together to celebrate the great gift they've been given - the gift of life.
"It is a great privilege to be here for the opening of the Games in beautiful Perth, to shine a spotlight on the incredibly inspiring participants and to encourage more people across the world to register as organ and tissue donors.
"We know that most Aussies support donation, but not enough are registered. Especially during this week, I encourage everyone to register to become a donor and have the all-important conversation with your loved ones about your intentions."
