Jersey Day at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Nathan’s legacy inspires a life-saving conversation
Staff at Sydney Adventist Hospital swapped their scrubs and uniforms for sporting jerseys on September 4, supporting an organ donation initiative with a personal connection to the hospital.
Jersey Day was inspired by 13-year-old Nathan Gremmo, who became an organ donor after he died following a road accident in 2015. His organs helped save the lives of six people.
Nathan’s sister, Annaliese Gremmo, is now a student midwife at the San and joined staff in marking Jersey Day and encouraging conversations about organ donation.
Annaliese said her family’s experience highlighted the importance of discussing organ donation before a family is faced with the decision.
A few weeks before his accident, Nathan had watched a documentary about organ donation and told his father he wanted to become an organ donor.
“This made my family’s decision a lot easier and went on to help us deeply with our grief,” Annaliese said.
“Hearing feedback on Nath’s organ recipients and how much their lives had improved because of him was something we were also able to hold on to, and this is where Jersey Day was born.”
Annaliese remembers her brother as “larger than life”—gentle, funny, adventurous, kind and devoted to his family.
“He loved being outside, family holidays, jet skiing, boating, surfing, riding dirt bikes and horses, and going to footy all weekend with Dad,” she said. “He made the most of the short 13 years he had.”
While his absence continues to be deeply felt by the family, Annaliese said knowing Nathan’s organ recipients had been given the opportunity to make new memories with their own families and friends was comforting.
Nathan’s time in the paediatric intensive care unit at Westmead Children’s Hospital also influenced Annaliese’s decision to pursue a career in healthcare.
“The nurses who cared for Nathan and my family were so gentle and thoughtful,” she said. “They made a big impact on our experience, and I hope to take those values into my own nursing career, whether it’s the best or hardest day of someone’s life.”
Seeing her colleagues at the San support Jersey Day was particularly meaningful.
“It is so special to be able to come to work and see my work friends and the San staff wearing jerseys,” Annaliese said.
“It makes me very proud of the legacy Nath has left behind, and I hope Jersey Day creates a conversation that may make someone’s decision in their worst time even the tiniest bit easier.”
Around 1800 Australians are currently on the transplant waitlist. While most Australians support organ and tissue donation, only around one-third are registered donors. One organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people.
Annaliese said the aim of Jersey Day was not simply to encourage more people to become organ donors, but to normalise conversations about donation among families and friends.
“It is amazing to be registered as an organ donor, but the decision is ultimately at the discretion of your family and next of kin,” she said.
“It can be so difficult to make a decision this big when losing a loved one, so we believe having these discussions prior is so important in improving organ donation outcomes.”
Asked what Nathan would think of the initiative that grew from his decision, Annaliese said she believed he would be “quietly proud”.
“He would be proud of how big Jersey Day has become and how it has impacted so many families,” she said. “I think he would be eager to know his recipients and what their life is like now.”
