McCann launches ‘Don’t Bury Will’ integrated campaign to help Will Chapman on transplant list, create awareness about organ donation
McCann has stepped in to help propel Will Chapman’s campaign to raise awareness of the need for organ donation, with a website and interactive campaign encouraging people to not bury their organs.
Chapman is a 20-year-old former employee of McCann’s sister media agency UM, who was born with a congenital heart condition and will die if he cannot secure a double lung and heart transplant by Christmas.
Chapman created his own video featuring celebrities including John Eales, Sally Fitzgibbons, Nathan Hindmarsh, Liz Ellis, Ada Nicodemou and INXS’s Kirk Pengilly, which ran online, and from which McCann has cut down a 30-second version aiming to get a TV airing.
The TVC drives people to a website www.dontburyme.com where they can register for organ donation and send a message to their family and loved ones to let them know of their wish to be organ donors.
McCann’s insight to expand Chapman’s message came from the naked truth that almost half the potential organ donors from 2011 did not register to be an organ donor or did not have that discussion with their loved ones who are responsible for the final okay. This despite the majority of Australians supporting organ donation.
The aim of the “Don’t Bury Will” TVC and dontburyme.com is to share Chapman’s story to help increase registration on the donation register and increase the level of discussion with loved ones about this critical issue. Ultimately, the message is: “Don’t bury your organs without talking about it.”
Says John Mescall, McCann executive director: “Will was able to get his own story out there. What we’re doing is developing a social platform (dontburyme.com) where others on organ donor lists can tell their own stories. The more human stories we can put against the numbers, the more effective this message will be.
“It takes a lot of courage to discuss something like this, and we are hoping to make it easier for people to begin the conversation and to sign up for organ donation.”
3 Comments
Hello I was so moved by the Don’t bury Will. Don’t Bury Your Organs and have wanted for so long to help with this important campaign to get more people registered. I live in Cairns FNQ, and I want to help to make more awareness in my community and get more people to register. I am a marriage celebrant and in the last 3 years I have married 2 couples that have received kidneys, one couple both are recipients and the other recently married in June and she is now in Brisbane recovering, so…..I am one of the committee members of a large Wedding Expo charity event held in January every year for Autism and I would like to put to my committee that we set up 2 tables with information on donating,(free of charge) have laptops to show people how they can register etc, possibly have a spokesperson as media always attend these events and do this at this event every year…would you be interested in supporting me to make this work and get more awareness out there – both of my recipient couples have said they will work with me at this event if they are able but I am also sure there are many more in my community you could put me in contact with. I look forward to hearing from you Joanne Male http://www.weddingscairns.com.au joanne@weddingscairns.com.au🙂
Like all I was extremely touched by Will Chapman’s honest, candid and heartfelt plea for awareness and bravery with the sharing of his his personal struggle. As someone who suffers from multiple chronic conditions myself I know the challengers and struggle of raising awareness and reaching out. You a truly an inspiration Will to many who like yourself are forced to wait patiently yet uncertain about your future. As a long term member of the Organ Donor Registry and advocate for the cause, I ask all Australians who view this touching yet not uncommon story with eyes wide open. Consider for moment if this young man was your child, your sibling or friend. It’s not easy to truly comprehend the magnitude of his personal fight for life that many take for granted, barr those in similar struggles to live out their lives as the majority of fellow Aussie do. It takes mere moments to register and more importantly, registration alone is not sufficient. We must inform our loved ones and have the discussion with our family members and our loved ones to ensure our wish to provide organ donation should the unthinkable occur and they are left to decide. Often choosing to go against our personal wishes. I encourage all to share this young man’s story for its his life which is on the line. We pass on our belongings after we have left this life, why not pass on our organs to not simply save many lives but to save other family’s experiencing the same loss when it could be avoided. In my heart of heart I believe in the importantance of life and family. Why deprive needlessly men, women and children the right to live as we do simply out of fear or misinformation. I would gladly give my organs to anyone who required them, I would personally offer my heart and lungs to this young man now if only I too could exist with half a heart and a solitary lung. There are reason why one may choose not to donate but there are so many more reasons to do it. To know parts of my body would sustain another or several others after I had passed away, would be my biggest legacy for what was my life knowing parts of me would continue on providing life and well being to another. In a time when we can save lives from a tragic loss of a loved one or ourselves why wouldn’t one offer. After all we call ourselves humanity. As a declaration of my support for the cause, should my life be taken before this young man finds a donor, I would be honoured in offering both my lungs and heart knowing this young man’s courageous bravery would only be strength by my own hearts capacity for the love of my fellow man. Will in your 20 years you have shown bravery and courage beyond your time. I pray your wish is granted and you live a long, fulfilled life of well being, happiness and joy. Yours sincerely Daniel L Måns.
As a live kidney donor, having donated a kidney to my twin sister nearly 32 years ago, and a passionate campaigner for Organ Donation I have been very touched by Will’s story and the ‘Don’t Bury Your Organs’ campaign. Don’t give up hope. There are many of us out here spreading the word tirelessly. May your miracle come soon, Will.
In my heart and thoughts,
Janine Joseph