Hookes' widow continues legacyArticle from: The Advertiser
ANNA VLACH
June 20, 2007 02:55pm
Adelaide-- WHILE cricket great David Hookes' legacy as an organ donor has been widely publicised many people do not know he was also a tissue donor.
Today, Robyn Hookes, director of the foundation named after her late husband, helped launch an awareness campaign to encourage more Australians to register as tissue donors.
Speaking at the David Hookes Foundation/Australian Donate event at Adelaide Oval, Mrs Hookes urged Australians to sign up as both a tissue and organ donor by ticking "all" on the registration form.
Mrs Hookes also stressed the importance of discussing wishes with family members and friends to give them peace of mind.
Because Hookes had clearly stated he wanted to be a donor his family were completely comfortable in helping him to honour that commitment which benefited 10 recipients, she said.
"I just rejoice in what happened to 10 other people's lives," she said.
Close to 2000 Australians are waiting to receive life-saving organ and tissue donations.
However, there were only 202 donors in Australia, which equates to less than 10 donors per million of the population.
Tissue donor recipient Ashley Moule, 36, of Rosslyn Park, had his sight restored to near perfect thanks to a tissue donor.
Mr Moule, who had battled a disease that thins the cornea Keratoconus, received a cornea transplant two and a half years ago.
"I'm sad for their loss and humbled by their gift," he said.
* To sign up for the Organ Donor Register, phone 1800 777 203 or visit:
www.medicareaustralia.gov.auhttp://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21938116-2682,00.html
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