Service celebrates living, giving through organ donation

27 October 2011
Members of the Hunter community are invited to an annual ecumenical service being held this Sunday (30 October 2011) to celebrate the legacy of organ and tissue donors and those who are now enjoying life thought the life saving benefits of organ transplantation.

The theme of the service this year is the ripple effect, recognising those whose lives have been touched by organ and tissue donation. 

Hunter New England Health Organ and Tissue Donor Co-ordinator Jeanette Lacey said the service is an opportunity to give thanks for life and to reflect and celebrate the generous giving spirit of organ donors.

 “Each year we hold the service to give the families and friends of organ donors the opportunity to remember their loved one and the donation they made at such a difficult time, to help many transplant recipients,” Ms Lacey said.

“The service is also one of thanksgiving for members of the community and their families who have received an organ transplant.”

The service will highlight the personal experiences of organ donor families and transplant recipients who will share their stories.

“Wendy Ninness will remember her husband Doug who donated his organs giving hope to three other families,” Ms Lacey said.

“Noel Sweetman will give thanks for the life saving kidney transplants he received – a gift defining the best of the human spirit through donation.”

“To demonstrate the ripple effect of donation, families will be invited to place a pebble in a pond in memory of their loved one,” Ms Lacey said.

The service will be held on Sunday 30 October 2011 at 2pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Church Street, Newcastle.

Contact: Sharna McCarthy

Phone: Emma Gibbs