Ian Plush is so grateful he was given a second chance at life after being a double transplant recipient, receiving a kidney and pancreas, in Sydney nearly eight years ago.
He’s now spurred to continue to spread the important message and encourage others to register as an organ and tissue donor.
For the last four years Ian has brought the message to the Barossa as part of DonateLife Week and last Thursday he was joined by David Williams, whose son was a donor as well as Anne Kuchel, whose husband Tony is a recipient and Megan McLoughlin, a organ recipient at the Co-op Regional Shopping Centre.
This year the message spreads to raising further awareness about the donation of children’s organs and tissues.
Ian acknowledged how hard it is for families to have the conversation about registering their child as a donor.
“It is an important thing to talk about but equally we need as many adults,” said Ian.
“There are people on the waiting list that are three, four and seven... the primary part now is young people.”
He explained for some children who are on the transplant list, it is as a result of issues they have been born with and it has arisen later in their life.
Ian is continually grateful for the organ donation he received and recognises the importance of spreading the message.
“In my case, in respect to the beautiful gift from an organ donor, after the transplant I wanted to do something to give back,” said Ian.
“Without the gift I got, I wouldn’t be here today.”
