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, so long as the conversation has been had & you have made a choice that is best 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 to be. Ann Marie is an Irish born lass who moved to New Zealand in 1999 after meeting her Kiwi born husband. Ann Marie 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. Ann Marie loves music, dancing 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 now spends 6 hours, 3 times a week hooked up to a dialysis machine. Despite this, Mary remains the same bubbly person and has been the inspiration for the Organ Donation Awareness Trust.