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AUSTRALIAN ORGAN DONOR AWARENESS WEEK 21st - 28th Feb 09 Australian Organ Donor Awareness Week (AODAW) is the largest public awareness campaign in Australia associated with organ and tissue donation for transplantation. In 2009, AODAW will be held from Saturday 21 February to Saturday 28 February. AODAW aims to raise donation rates in Australia by focusing on the pressing need for organ and tissue donation, encouraging families to discuss their wishes, highlighting the success of organ transplantation in Australia and promoting the registration of consent on to the Australian Organ Donor Register (Medicare Australia site) This week also marks one year since the loss of an amazing young man – Ashley Alan Cooper. Rachael Martin, Ashley’s sister said in regards to the link between Ashley’s anniversary and AODAW “It is a precious coincidence that the anniversary of Ashley’s death falls in the same week as Organ Donation Awareness Week. My brother was an incredible man who gave the ultimate gift, I feel blessed to know that at this difficult time for our family we can find some comfort in focusing on Ash being a donor. The thought that other families in Australia can be together this week and in good health as a result of his gift is wonderful” “If every family in Australia could do two things this week, the lives of thousands could be saved. Number one – talk to their loved ones about organ donation and be clear on each others wishes. Number two – register their intent on the Australian Organ Donor Register. I can’t stress enough the importance of talking to your loved ones about organ donation – it doesn’t have to be a long or depressing conversation – as long as you make your wishes clear you have taken a giant step towards the possibility of becoming a life saver and putting an end to the tragedy that lives are lost waiting!” Rachael said. Rachael hopes that AODAW will also bring about the opportunity for people to overcome the myths and misconceptions they may have about organ donation. She advises that if people have questions or concerns that now is the time to address them. The family GP is a great source of information on this topic as are donor and recipient families. “Unfortunately people make too many assumptions. Many figure that if they are elderly or not in peak medical condition now that they would not be eligible donors. But this is not necessarily true – the eldest Australian donor was over 100 years of age! Smokers and diabetics make up a part of the statistics of successful donors – no one should assume that they will not be eligible, this can only be determined by medical professionals!” Rachael advised. Rachael believes “This week is about making a difference. Organ donation is the opportunity to give the ultimate gift. My brother helped families in their ‘race 2 live’ and we are so proud of him for that. I only hope that others will take the time to discuss their wishes and sign on to the register, sadly there are still far too many mothers, fathers, brother, sisters, sons and daughters waiting for their chance to live life. My brother could not save them all – but changes in organ donation levels can!” |
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AWARENESS AND FUNDS RAISED AT ANNUAL SHANNONS EVENT 
The Ashley Cooper Appeal has received a donation of over $10,000 from the annual Shannons Christmas Party with the Clubs. Encouraged by Master of Ceremonies Glenn Ridge and guest speaker and Shannons ambassador Jim Richards, more than 300 guests including major car club office bearers dug deep at the Powerhouse on Albert Park Lake in Melbourne on November 29 to generate the funds for the Ashley Cooper Appeal. The major fund-raising activity was the evening's Celebrity Auction, with veteran Shannons Auctioneer Bill Wellwood giving a vintage performance, while a raffle for 'hot laps' with Jim Richards in his tarmac rally Porsche 911 GT2 raised additional money. Leading organisations supporting the evening with donated products or services included Network 10 Sport, Exotic Limousines, Mini Customs, Bindara Estate Wines, Endota Spa, Berwick and artist Mike Harbar. Guests were entertained throughout the evening by classic Rock band Ritchie and the Royals. The Ashley Cooper Appeal is incredibly grateful for the generosity of all who were involved in the fundraising. The team would like to thank each and every person who contributed to and supported the event. For more information on Shannons Insurance please visit www.shannons.com.au |
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PHILLIP ISLAND TRIBUTE Raising awareness for the Ashley Cooper Foundation |
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Oran Park Tribute 
Ashley's close mate, Brad takes to the track in Ashley's Commodore Cup car for a tribute lap around Oran Park. |
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WAKEFIELD PARK FUNDRAISER & TRIBUTE 
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ASHLEY’S CAR TO BE DRIVEN IN HIS MEMORY BY CLOSE MATE  This weekend will see the 2008 Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships held at Oran Park Raceway, Sydney. Shannons Nationals categories include; Biante Touring Car Masters, Australian Formula 3 Championship, Commodore Cup, Australian Saloon Car Championship and the crowd pleasing, 6 tonne giants of the track . . . The Tankworld Supertrucks.
The Ashley Cooper Appeal will be running a collection drive at the track. This will take place on Sunday 27th April throughout the course of the day. The Appeal will be calling on the generosity of Ashley’s fans, the spectators and racing community to raise funds. On Sunday 27th April Ashley’s Commodore Cup Racing car will take to the track again. Ashley’s team member and close mate, Brad Cole will be behind the wheel as the car is driven in a lap around Oran Park, in memory of Ashley – in what's sure to be a touching scene. Ashley’s family members and team mates will be at the track on Sunday in his honour. The Ashley Cooper Appeal Marquee will also be at the track. |
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FUJITSU V8 SUPERCAR SERIES HONOURS THE LIFE OF ASHLEY This weekend Round 2 of the Fujitsu Series will be held at Wakefield Park, Goulburn. In what would have been Ashley's home round, the naming rights sponsor of Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series will match dollar for dollar the amount raised over the weekend to help support Ashley’s partner Casey and their two children. On Friday afternoon (4th April 2008) between four and six o’clock at Belmore Park Goulburn there will be a Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series autograph session. Here the weekend’s collection drive for the Ashley Cooper Appeal will begin. On Saturday and Sunday at the track donations can be made at the Ashley Cooper Appeal marquee or to the Fujitsu Grid Girls and Volunteers around the track. Chaplin Richard Cormick will lead a tribute to Ashley on the grid on Sunday morning with Ashley’s family by his side. The weekend is bound to be a special tribute to the life of Ashley and the Appeal is calling on the generosity of his fans and the racing community to also make it a successful weekend of fundraising. |
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Ashley Cooper Appeal 
Click here to donate to the Ashley Cooper Appeal. The Ashley Cooper Appeal was formed in the memory of V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper. Ashley succumbed on Monday the 25th February 2008 to brain injuries he received from a high speed racing accident at the Clipsal 500 meeting in Adelaide that weekend. Highly respected amongst his motor racing peers, Ashley’s passion for the sport he loved and lived for, inspired all who met and knew him on and around the race track. His death has had an immediate and profound affect at all levels of the Australian Motor Sporting community, leaving no one in the sport not touched by loosing this young talented driver and family man. At the time of his death, 27 year old Ashley Cooper lived life away from the race track with equal passion and drive. Inspired to reach his full potential in every aspect of his life, Ashley was a successful businessman, community role model, committed partner, father of two young children and fun loving man. The Ashley Cooper Appeal has been formed to raise money for the late V8 driver Ashley Cooper’s partner Casey and young children Ella and Bailey to achieve stability and security after the loss of their father and family income. In the long term the Appeal will help other families who have lost a loved one under tragic circumstances to achieve similar stability; and also promote and support families who are in a ‘race 2 live’ through organ donation. Ashley was a registered organ donor and after his accident Ashley was able to give the ultimate gift of all - life to six other people. After their involvement with the processes surrounding organ donation the Cooper family were made aware of the crucial need to raise organ donation rates and awareness within Australia. They have become extremely passionate about doing this through the Ashley Cooper Appeal. The Appeal will be funded by donations and gifts, fundraising activities, and aided by the generosity of individual and corporate donors and the motor sport fraternity. Click here to donate to the Ashley Cooper Appeal. |
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