The Life Project: Raising Awareness in WA
“Being an organ donor is not about what it does for you, but what it says about you.”
Michael O’Reilly.
7 years ago, I started at DonateLife in Western Australia.
The job of State Medical Director was a much maligned, thankless task that clinicians didn’t really fancy. It was a highly regulated, politically sensitive area of health with considerable practical challenges for a state the size of Western Europe.
As a newbie, the chance to lead a statewide, high profile service was a unique privilege. Nothing so important, or complex would ever come my way in the United Kingdom.
The DonateLife teams across Australia are remarkable organisations. Such tireless professional commitment to donors and their families was humbling to be a part of. Thanks to their graft and attention to detail, I was able to work on innovative ideas and projects, trying to connect our community upon whom we relied for our life-saving organs and tissues.
The Life Project at City Beach was the culmination of 4 years work. Collaboration with Town of Cambridge Council, WA Health, our donor family community and Simon Youngelson the sculptor, led to the beautiful installation that graces the foreshore to this day.
I’d like to think that all those people and all those organisations across Australia, have led to the remarkable increase in donor registrations that we have seen over the last 2 years.
Organ donation is the ultimate act of altruism and it speaks volumes of the Australian spirit that despite COVID, we remain willing to offer the gift of life to others.
Sure, we have a way to go to match the best, but each step is a crucial one in the right direction.
Thank you!
Bruce
Dr Bruce Powell 