The Lions Club of West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook and the Sydney Sri Lankan Lions Cub recognise that there is a huge shortage of donor organs in Australia. In 2015 Australia was ranked only 20th in the world in terms of Donors Per Million of population – very low by global standards.
We are well behind the top five countries, Spain & Croatia, Iceland, Belgium and Portugal. If we had reached donor rate of these countries, an additional 1,400 lives could be saved in Australia annually. Our government has spent over $250,000 over the past seven years promoting organ donation with limited results.
The West Pennant Hills Lions Club is promoting the importance of Donate Life Network – NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service and the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, here within the North West Sydney community by conducting regular campaigns.
The Club recently conducted its second drive at the Lankaramaya Temple in Schofields, which was very successful. A total of 179 people registered on the day by completing applications for the donation of their organs. Another 107 people collected forms to complete and return by post, making a total of 286 for the day.
This organ donation campaign is the second jointly organised by The West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Club and the Sydney Sri Lankan Lions Club. The first project was held on the 18th May 2014 when 265 people committed donations and another 100 forms requested . The project chairman, Lion Mohan Nanayakkara, advised that in total, 444 people have now committed organs and another 207 indicating their intentions to do so.
Chairman Mohan acknowledged the great support of the Government Organ Donation Team and our Lions members and members of the Cherrybrook Leos Club. He also thanked the Chief Incumbent of the Lankarama Temple at Schofield, The Chief Prelate in Australia of Malwatte Chapter in Sri Lanka Venerable Pundit Meegahakumbure Dhammagavesi Thero and the President of the Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara Association and members of their committee.