The Organ Donation Awareness Trust was established in 2006 with the aim of creating awareness about organ & tissue donation in New Zealand. It’s about encouraging families, friends and communities to discuss giving the ‘gift of life’.

 

It is not an easy decision to become a donor and it can be even harder for families to make that decision following the death of their loved one. Therefore it is important to talk about organ donation with your family, so your wishes are known.

 

The Organ Donation Awareness Trust began in 2006 with the aim of creating awareness about organ & tissue donation in New Zealand and encouraging families, friends and communities to discuss giving the ‘gift of life’.

 

 

 

{Whether you decide to donate or not, the most important thing is that you've had the conversation with your family and they know your wishes. We're committed to you making the best choice for you.}

 

 

Four women have come together after learning about the deteriorating health of their dear friend Mary England who had been diagnosed with kidney failure in 2003. Through Mary’s plight they have learnt so much more about kidney dialysis and the need for donors in New Zealand. Mary was the inspiration for them to make a difference by starting the trust in the hope of creating more awareness about organ donation. 

 

 

Kirralee Fisher, Graphic Designer, grew up in Tauranga and has known Mary since 1993. After 8 years overseas Kirralee came back and found Mary needing dialysis 3 times a week. Kirralee is responsible for all the graphic design needed by the Organ Donation Awareness Trust and created the 2007 calendar in conjunction with Chrissy. She is passionate about snow skiing and water skiing and is also involved with the Auckland Cat Rescue Charity.

 

 

Chrissy Sun, Photographer and mother of 2 gorgeous girls. Chrissy grew up in Te Kuiti and met Mary through a mutual friend at a party in 1998. Her active interest and creative flair for photography led her to a career in photography which she balances with motherhood. Chrissy’s images were the inspiration to produce the Organ Donation Awareness Trust 2007 calendar to raise money and spread the message about the importance of the ‘gift of life’. Chrissy is a tennis fanatic and loves a good party.

 

 

Ann Marie Fagan, Business Consultant and Mother. Ann Marie originally hails from Ireland and moved to New Zealand in 1999 after meeting her Kiwi husband. She first met Mary at a public speaking course in 2003 and between the two of them; no one else can get a word in edgewise! Ann Marie instigated the makeover of the Pt Chev Dialysis Unit which soon eventuated into the beginnings of the Organ Donation Awareness Trust. She loves being a Mum to her daughter Molly, meeting people, having fun and is partial to the odd Guinness.

 

 

Mary England, Sales Trainer and Merchandiser. Mary is an outgoing, bubbly woman leading a very active life, career minded & loving to travel. It was a huge shock for her to find out in 2003 that she had kidney failure which would alter her life dramatically. She would spend 6 hours, 3 times a week hooked up to a dialysis machine. Despite this, Mary always remained the same bubbly person and was the inspiration for the Organ Donation Awareness Trust. We're delighted to tell you that on the 11th of May 2008 Mary received a call to tell her that a kidney was available and she was to receive it. Mary's kidney transplant was a great success and her recovery is progressing really well.

 

Sarah Redmond, Administrator and mother to three wonderful kids. Sarah joined the ODAT team in mid-2008 and is enthusiastic about raising awareness about organ donation. She enjoys swimming, running and reading and is very willing to be distracted by a good movie.