Let’s Talk About Organ Donation and Help Save Lives

In May 2015, the Gremmo family’s lives were changed forever when their eldest child, Nathan, was critically injured in an accident at just 13 years of age.

In keeping with Nathan’s generous spirit, his family made the courageous decision to give the gift of life to others. That selfless act saved six lives – including those of five young adults and a baby.

Only hours before his accident, Nathan shared on Instagram: “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Wise beyond his years, Nathan was truly an extraordinary young man.

His father Michael, mother Kylie, and sisters Ashley and Annaliese lovingly remember him as “a boy with a unique sense of humour, a love for animals, and an endless energy for life. Through Nathan’s legacy, the family has established Jersey Day.

Each Jersey Day the Gremmo family simply ask everybody to wear a Jersey to school or work, and most importantly have a conversation with their friends and family about Organ and Tissue Donation. 

DID YOU KNOW?

• One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people and help many more through eye and tissue donation
• Since the national program started in 2009 more than 19,469 Australians have received life-saving organ transplants
• In 2024 more than 2,630 Australians benefited from corneal transplants
• Australia has a best practice clinical donation system led by specialist doctors and nurses across 95 hospitals
• Five out of ten families agreed to donation when they were supported by donation specialist nurse
• If Australia had a national consent rate of 75%, we would be in the top 10 countries in the world for donation rates
• All major religions in Australia support organ and tissue donation.
• There are around 1,800 Australians currently waitlisted for a transplant and a further 14,000 people on dialysis who could benefit from a kidney transplant.

This is truly a remarkable and loving story about a local Hills Shire family who endured the pain of losing a beautiful and loving son and turning the tragedy into the gift of life to others.