The San celebrates Jersey Day

Sydney Adventist Hospital staff swapped their scrubs and uniforms for their favourite sporting jerseys on Friday, coming together to support Jersey Day and an important conversation about organ and tissue donation.

Staff from across the San gathered on the hospital’s front lawn in their team colours, alongside a giant Jersey Day jersey, to help raise awareness of the difference organ donation can make.

Jersey Day was inspired by the story of 13-year-old Nathan Gremmo, who became an organ donor and gave the gift of life to six people.

Nathan’s sister, Annaliese, is a student midwife at the San and joined staff to mark the day and help continue her brother’s legacy by encouraging Australians to talk openly with their families about organ and tissue donation.

The San’s Jersey Day activities also featured on Nine News, helping take the message about the importance of organ donation conversations to an even wider audience.

While four in five Australians support organ and tissue donation, just one in three (36 per cent) are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. Around 1,800 Australians are currently waiting for an organ transplant. Importantly, even when someone is registered as a donor, their family will still be asked to provide consent. 

One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people, making a conversation about organ donation one that has the potential to change many lives.

The San was proud to support Jersey Day and help shine a light on Nathan’s legacy and the importance of talking with those closest to us about organ and tissue donation.