Players supporting organ and tissue donation awareness

18 October, 2019

Players across the Australian Men's team and WBBL will don rainbow coloured bat-grips, laces and wristbands across October and November in support of Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation, charity partner of the Australian Cricketers' Association.

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation will also be the charity of choice for the Gillette T20 International series that will see the Australian Men go up against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, starting 27 October 2019.

Additionally, after each T20I, $500 will be donated to Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation on behalf of the players and Cricket Australia.

Zaidee's Rainbow foundation aims to make organ and tissue donation awareness more prevalent in society and uses the rainbow as a symbol to represent hope for those on a transplant waiting list.

The ACA's Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation campaign will also extend to the WBBL throughout October, as a number of players will make use of Zaidee's rainbow coloured grips, laces and wristbands in support of organ and tissues donation awareness.

Last season, Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation teamed up with the ACA and Cricket Australia as the charity of choice for the Gillette International ODI series between Australia and India.

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation has been the official charity partner of the ACA since 2013.

Australia Men's T20I Fixtures:

Sun 27 October Australia v Sri Lanka Adelaide Oval

Wed 30 October Australia v Sri Lanka The Gabba

Fri 1 November Australia v Sri Lanka MCG

Sun 3 November Australia v Pakistan SCG

Tue 5 November Australia v Pakistan Manuka Oval

Fri 8 November Australia v Pakistan Perth Stadium

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation was set up in memory of Zaidee Turner, who died suddenly at age seven from a burst blood vessel in her brain. Zaidee had been registered as an organ donor and her tissues and organs have helped save or improve the lives of many people.

One in five Australians on the transplant waiting list die before they get a chance to receive a transplant.

Managing Director of Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation, Allan Turner said;

"Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation is very proud to be the official charity partner of the ACA and the Australia Men's T20I series this season.

"To have the support of Australia's most elite athletes in the sport of cricket allows the important message of organ and tissue donation to be heard far and wide throughout communities right around Australia, if not the world.

To have the support of Australia's most elite athletes in the sport of cricket allows the important message of organ and tissue donation to be heard far and wide throughout communities right around Australia, if not the world.

Allan Turner Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation Managing Director

"The players' actions will give hope to those who are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, as well as inspiring many to start a discussion about organ and tissue donation, throughout the season in memory of Zaidee," Turner said.

ACA CEO Alistair Nicholson added;

"The ACA is again proud to join forces with Allan Turner and the Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation.

"The players over the years have been fantastic in their support of Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation and raising awareness for organ and tissue donations.

"Once again, we will see the rainbow symbol splashed across our summer in the hope of raising awareness for this very good cause.

"Cricket Australia has also been important in driving awareness for Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation, incorporating them as their charity of choice for these international fixtures over the past two seasons.

"Thanks must also go to the Australian Women's team for getting the ball rolling earlier in the season, with a number of players using the Zaidee's rainbow coloured equipment."

Head to zaidee.org for more information.

© Australian Cricket Players Limited
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
The Australian Cricketers’ Association acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present.