Language 'no barrier' for transplant recipients

Three recipients – Mary Chan, Mohamed Taleb Hawcher and Mohammad Faran – shared their personal stories during the launch at Parliament House.

Mary, Mohamed and Mohammad are three of 21 community advocates from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who feature in new multilingual audio visual resources created as part of the Diversity project – a partnership between Transplant Australia, the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service and the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service.

Increased organ and tissue donation

"In 2012, I was proud to launch Increasing Organ Donation in NSW – the NSW Government plan to drive up the rates of organ and tissue donation. The plan has succeeded in doing just that but there is still more that can be done," Skinner said.

"People of any age – regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion – may one day need a life-changing or life-saving transplant.

"Around 1,500 people are on Australian organ transplant waiting lists at any one time. One donor can transform the lives of 10 people. Donation truly is the gift of life."

Digital resources for the community

The multilingual digital resources will be promoted in social media platforms and at community events.

"These resources have been designed to reach out to all communities regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion or language," Skinner said.

"I urge everyone from all culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to start a conversation with their loved ones about organ and tissue donation."

The digital stories are available on the Transplant Australia website.