TAMBORINE Mountain is planning for an exciting weekend of cricket on April 13 and 14, when eight teams will meet in a round-robin cricket tournament, all to raise awareness for organ and tissue donation.
The weekend continues the tradition of a charity match played at Chris Wills Oval, named after the local cricketer and recipient of a double lung and heart transplant, who tragically died from a heart attack in 2009 while playing cricket.
“It was Chris’s dream to one day to host a match between his hometown club (Tamborine) and the transplant cricket team of which he was also a member,” said Queensland Lucky Stars Captain Steve Arthy.
“Each year it has got bigger and better and last year we expanded to a full weekend of cricket involving eight invitational teams”.
The weekend comprises morning and afternoon games played at Tamborine Mountain Sports Centre, from 9.30am on Saturday April 13 and finishing in the afternoon on Sunday April 14.
Lucky Stars Australia organises several cricket matches each year around Australia to promote the message of organ and tissue donation and discussion amongst the community.
The Lucky Stars Captain also stressed the need for people to discuss their organ and tissue donation wishes with family and friends and then to sign on to the Australian Organ Donor Register.
Research shows that if people discuss their donation decision with family and record their wish on the Register, the consent rate by families for donation is 91 percent.
“Our players are lucky to have received an organ or tissue transplant and are now enjoying their own ‘second innings’,” said Steve.
“While we celebrate our second chance at life, we also are playing to acknowledge the gift from our donors and donor families. Talking to family and friends and signing on are not difficult things to do and potentially one donor can save the lives of up to ten people.”
All spectators are welcome to attend with food and drinks available to purchase throughout the match.
