Gordo Rutty on a 900km epic to raise awareness about organ donation

One member of Transplant Australia is literally taking to the streets to get the message out about organ donation by committing to a 'Walk to end the Wait' down the East Coast from Coolangatta to Sydney between June 18 and July 2 of this year.

Gordo Rutty will walk all the way, passing through many coastal towns, talking to communities about the need for Australians to donate their organs, and highlight the importance of registering on the Australian Organ Donor Registry.

Prompted by the loss of two close friends, Gordo became an altruistic kidney donor ten years ago to honour their memory.

Gordo's walk is a testament to his passion for seeing people no longer needing to wait for donor organs.

On this courageous 14 day endeavour, Gordo will pass through the Nambucca Valley and Kempsey.

He is expected to walk up Wallace Street Macksville at around 9am on Wednesday, June 23, where he will arrive at the Elk on 38 Cafe around 9:30am.

From there, after a short rest, Gordo will head to Kempsey, where he will stay the night.

Gordo says that it would be a buzz if people could join him as he walks through town or join him for a chat at the Elk on 38.

"It would be fantastic if everyone could tell their friends about the walk and encourage them to walk alongside me when I come through town," he said.

You can support Gordo by showing up in person or by donating to Transplant Australia https://donate.mycause.com.au/cause/246107 but what would really make Gordo's 14 day 'Walk to end the Wait' all worthwhile is if you Register as an organ donor today and discuss your decision with your family.

You could one day save a life.

Transplant Australia is a charity that supports transplant recipients and their families; people on the waiting list, donor families, living donors, healthcare professionals and all those touched by organ and tissue donation.

According to the charity Transplant Australia, last year alone 463 deceased organ donors and 182 living donors gave 1452 Australians a new chance in life.

That being said, around 1790 people are on the transplant waiting list at any one time.

Currently in this country, two people die every week waiting for donor organs.

Transplant Australia leads programs that encourage physical activity to increase survival rates in transplant recipients, like the Australian Transplant Games and Fit for Life.

They also run life-saving awareness activities and public campaigns, to inspire Australians to join the Organ Donor Register.

Transplant Australia works with several universities to spread the message of organ donation to young people, and fund science and research through the annual Mark Cocks Research Scholarship, presented by the Transplant Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Their goal is to make sure that every Australian who needs a transplant one day has access to one.

Transplant Australia has contributed to an environment that has seen a sharp increase in lives saved through organ and tissue donation throughout its existence.

The number of transplants taking place every year has doubled in the last eight years as a result.

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