Northern Angels, a joint partnership between Nathalia Secondary College and St. Marys of the Angels, will officially launch their new team on Friday 17 April at Nathalia Recreation Reserve from 7pm.
In an Australian sporting first, the team has adopted Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation socks as part of their official playing uniform to promote child organ donation throughout the community.
In a star studded team launch event Western Bulldogs Captain Aasta O’Connor and last year’s Number 3 draft pick Darcy Vescio will be on hand to present the team with their playing jumpers as well as Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Allan Turner to discuss the Foundation and the importance of organ donation.
"The establishment of the team opens up many avenues to further develop leadership skills in a team environment in our great game" highlighted Northern Angels Coach Phil McKenna. "We want to promote a sense of community while offering another sporting option for girls who may not currently play a sport during winter months if at all."
"The focus of the collaboration is to promote health and wellbeing of youth girls."
"We are very excited to have an alliance with Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation. This will help to create a greater awareness of organ donation in the local community."
"We are proud to be in partnership with such a worthwhile cause and encourage all members of the community to start the conversation about organ donation we can all make a difference."
Event Details:
Event: Northern Angels Season Launch
Date: Friday 17 April
Time: 7pm
Venue: Nathalia Recreation Reserve
Backgrounder – Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation
Kim and Allan Turner created Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation in memory of their daughter, Zaidee Turner. Zaidee tragically and suddenly died in 2004 at the age of seven after suffering a burst blood vessel in her brain. Of the 103 children under the age of 16 who died at the Royal Children’s Hospital in 2004, Zaidee was the only Victorian child to donate her organs and tissues that year.
Zaidee was also one of only six children to donate nationally and one of the youngest Australian donors on record in 2004. The donation of Zaidee’s organs and tissues resulted in the lives of up to seven others being enhanced or saved.
In 2012, Australians had the highest donation rate in the past 43 years of transplant on record of 345 solid organ donors, giving 1016 transplant to those that now have a second chance in life or a great improvement to their life, but we still need more people to keep donating at the end of life to keep this result high.
"By encouraging parents to speak to their children about organ and tissue donation we hope that those family members currently on the transplant waiting list will have a better chance of receiving their transplant in time," Allan Turner CEO Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation said.
"We also hope that families who are faced with the same situation of losing a loved one can feel gratified to know that from their loss they are able to help others," said Kim Turner Zaidee’s Mum.
"I urge all sporting teams, clubs, businesses and organisations to show your support like the Australian Cricket Players and wear Zaidee’s Rainbow Shoelaces to reflect your support for this subject. Zaidee’s Rainbow Shoelaces are Australia’s National Symbol for organ and tissue donation.
Zaidee gave the greatest gift of all after she died her organ and tissue so others could live a better life and in most case just to live. "Please talk about it to your loved one."
Last Modified on 16/04/2015 11:33