The Gift of Life Baton is a gift from Transplant Australia and the Australian Government to the world transplant community to act as a universal beacon between each World Transplant Games.
The Baton, designed and produced in Australia by leading industrial design company, Form Designs Australia, is also uniquely West Australian, featuring a specially carved piece of Jarrah, a hardwood native to the South-Western Australia.
WTGF President and Transplant Australia CEO Chris Thomas said the Baton was the culmination of a six-year dream.
“We are all familiar with Olympic torches as they wing their way across the world in the lead up to the Olympics. The Commonwealth Games also celebrates its contribution to the world of sport through a baton,” Mr Thomas said. “Many countries also have their own symbols recognizing organ donation and the gift of life.”
“Transplant Australia wanted to recognize all donors. The baton is a symbol of the gift of life that is given from donor to recipient. It is designed to be embraced by all countries, with the simple wording “Thank You” engraved in multiple languages. It also features the World Transplant Games logo as a uniting symbol of the global transplant sport community.”
Federal Minister for Sport, The Hon Anika Wells, said, “The Australian Government is a proud supporter of Transplant Australia and the World Transplant Games. Transplant recipients are some of the most inspiring athletes that I have met. To not only overcome adversity of failing health but then to strive and exceed on the sporting field is incredible.
“We are truly honoured to present the Gift of Life Baton to the World Transplant Games Federation. We know it will act as beacon for communities across the world to see the living proof of donation in the lives of transplant recipients.”
Transplant Australia worked with Media Junction Director, Jason Pearce in Perth. Jason was ideally suited to help bring the concept to life, having had a heart transplant for 5 years. They then selected Form Designs Australia to bring the project to life.
Principal Edward Khoury explained, “Form Designs are honoured to be involved in the development of this important, iconic symbol. Form Designs have been involved in industrial design for four decades and have developed many global products but nothing as remarkable as this.”
Uniting all those touched by transplantation and donation, the Gift of Life Baton will tour Australia in the lead up to the 2023 World Transplant Games, commencing with a presentation in Parliament House, Canberra.
The Baton will then be displayed at various hospital across Australia and at West Australian State Parliament before commencing a 4,340km journey on motorcycle from the last city to host the World Transplant Games in Australia – the Gold Coast – to Perth’s Optus Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the 2023 World Transplant Games in April 2023.
The Gift of Life Baton Tour will be led by altruistic kidney donor, Gordon Rutty. Gordon, who this year walked 400kms around the Gold Coast to raise funds to help children attend the World Transplant Games, has dedicated his life to helping promote the gift of life.
