BLACKTOWN Hospital staff recently wore rainbow-coloured hairnets when they made an appeal for organ and tissue donations.
When people registered as organ donors die, their organs or tissue can be used in transplant operations that could save the lives of others.
Hospital staff throughout the Sydney West Area Health Service also marked Zaidee's Rainbow Hairnet Day.
The day was named for Zaidee Turner, who was only seven when she died in 2004 from a burst blood vessel in her brain.
Her parents, themselves registered organ donors, consented to donating Zaidee's organs and tissues. These saved or enhanced the lives of seven people.
The health service's organ and tissue donation co-ordinator, Monica Walker, said staff were keen to promote awareness of how important the issue was.
``There are almost 2000 people in Australia on organ transplant waiting lists at any given time,'' Ms Walker said. ``Last year there were 198 organ donors in Australia.
``As an organ donor, you can save and improve the quality of life of up to 10 other people.''
For information about donation, visit www.organdonor.com.au.