Nathan Gremmo’s legacy lives on with Jersey Day and #donatelife

NATHAN GREMMO’S Jersey Day legacy is now nationwide and his family is urging people to talk about organ donation and register their wishes.

Nathan Gremmo's family: sister Annaliese 14, dad Michael, mum Kylie and sister Ashley 11, in their Jersey Day jumpers. Photo: Justin Sanson

NATHAN GREMMO’S Jersey Day legacy is now nationwide.

The 13-year-old Glenhaven boy became an organ donor in April 2015 after he was critically injured crossing a road near his home.

Nathan Gremmo.

Five people and a baby received his organs after his parents Kylie and Michael and his sisters Annaliese and Ashley agreed to Nathan’s organs being donated.

Friday, September 1, will be the Gremmo family’s third Jersey Day — a day they launched just months after Nathan’s death to encourage families to talk about organ donation and to register online.

Weeks before Nathan’s death he had watched a documentary on organ donation and talked to his father about what a wonderful gift it was to give someone a second chance at life.

Nathan’s mum Kylie said: “We have never regretted the decision we made and it’s given us something really wonderful to hold on to that there people out there who are living because of Nathan.”

“(Jersey Day) is about the conversation and making families aware of your decision,” she said.

“It’s OK to say no but let people know what your decision is.”

The family have received a thankyou letter from the young man who received Nathan’s lungs. telling them he had started playing cricket again and they have also received cards from the parents of the baby who received a portion of Nathan’s liver.

Nathan Gremmo’s cousins, Jett Gremmo 8, Raphael Gremmo 3, Ethan Hawkins 6, Isabel Hawkins 4 and Koby Gremmo 6, pose for a photograph to promote Jersey Day which is on Friday, September 1. Picture: Justin Sanson

Michael Gremmo said: “A lot of people still think it’s on your licence but it’s not, you have to register.“

Nathan’s uncle Richard Gremmo said it is a day the family wish they didn’t have to have but they were stunned by the way it was spreading.

“It’s exciting that it started in the Hills and it’s going national.” he said.

“I was in Tennant Creek (Northern Territory) and the principal told me that his school had done Jersey Day last year.”

How does organ donation work?

Champion horse Winks is also wearing the Jersey day colours as his jockey and when the Eels take on the Rabittohs at ANZ Stadium on Friday, September 1 it will be a Jersey Day match.

Infract all the NRL clubs will are promoting Jersey Day and the importance of joining the Australian Organ Donor Register. Visit donatelife.gov.au

Nathan Gremmo's extended family get together at the home of Nathan's parents Michael and Kylie to promote Jersey Day and organ donation. Photo: Justin Sanson