David Warner and Aaron Finch exemplify players support of organ and tissue donation

Players across the Australian Cricket teams and WBBL have been wearing rainbow coloured bat-grips, laces and wristbands through October and November in support of Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation.

Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation aims to make organ and tissue donations more prevalent and uses the rainbow as a symbol to represent hope.

The Foundation was Cricket Australia’s charity of choice for the Australia Men’s Gillette T20I series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. After every game, $500 was kindly donated to Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation on behalf of the player-of-the-match and Cricket Australia.

The captains from each team and the player-of-the-match also signed a Zaidee’s-designed Gillette T20I series-bat, which will be put up auction shortly, with all proceeds going towards to Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation. Keep an eye on Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation's website for updates.

David Warner, who was named player of the match on three occasions, and Australian T20 captain and ACA Director Aaron Finch, also contributed an additional $500 each to the charity.

Finch, who is an ambassador for Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, said;

“For the past five years, I’ve been proud to represent Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation as an official ambassador.

“In raising awareness for organ and tissue donations, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation is a very important cause the players love to get behind.

“Personally, I love having the opportunity to bat with a rainbow coloured grip, to help bring attention to Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation.”

The ACA’s Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation campaign commenced in September with the Australian Women’s limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, before extending to the Australian Men’s T20I series.

It also coincided with the launch of WBBL04 with Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation grips, laces and wristbands also appearing in the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup competitions.

Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation Managing Director Allan Turner said.

“Once again to have the support of cricket through the Australian Cricketers’ Association is a tribute to our community-minded players who reflect their support to help save and improve lives through organ and tissue donation.

“It also reflects cricket cares about those who are waiting for a transplant -- a a subject that is so important, especially for the 50-plus children in Australia who are waiting for a lifesaving transplant today.

“Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation wishes to thank every player and official involved for supporting this campaign with the ACA and Cricket Australia.”

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation was set up in memory of Zaidee Turner, who died suddenly at age seven from a burst blood vessel in her brain. Zaidee had been registered as an organ donor and her tissues and organs have helped save or improve the lives of many people.

One in five Australians on the transplant waiting list die before they get a chance to receive a transplant.

Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation has been the official charity partner of the ACA since 2013.