Two cutting edge health research projects on the Gold Coast that could prolong and even save lives, wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the local community. 

The Gold Coast Hospital Foundation secured $100,000 in donations within just six weeks to fund the Rapid Research Project which aims to reduce diagnosis times for children with sepsis from two days to just a matter of hours.

“This is an exciting time for us on the Coast, with the Gold Coast University Hospital ideally located within the emerging Health and Knowledge Precinct,” said Kim Sutton, CEO of the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. This is just the start of our efforts to raise funds to support the Gold Coast Health’s research program, she added.

The Foundation’s major fundraiser, the Hospital Heroes Ball on August 4, focused on health research.

“Considering 50 children die each year from sepsis in Australia and New Zealand it is vitally important to reduce diagnosis times as every hour increases mortality by 6 per cent. Another research project will test a new treatment to slow the progression of motor neurone disease, which is known as the ‘1000-day disease’ because the average patient is given a thousand days to live upon diagnosis; it also took the life of the world’s most well-known physicist, Stephen Hawking earlier this year,” Ms Sutton said.

“You can’t cure the disease, but doctors at Gold Coast University Hospital will test new ways to slow disease progression, and enhance life expectancy, by using new medicinal cannabis oil. It’s not only researchers and clinicians that could have an impact worldwide with their research but local residents as well, as it is their decision to donate to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation that supports this research to happen. Funding and delivering cutting-edge health research will help attract some of the best researchers and clinicians from around the country to come and live and work here.”

To show your support you can make a donation at https://gchfoundation.org.au/donate

Click here to download the full media release.

During the winter school holiday a teddy bear hospital opened at Australia Fair Shopping Centre for all to enjoy.

In July the teddy hospital opened its doors and invited children to bring their ‘sick’ or damaged teddy or doll, dress-up as either a doctor or nurse in scrubs, stethoscope and face mask – and nurse their ‘patients’ back to health.

Gold Coast Hospital Foundation mascot Betty Get Better made an appearance at the family friendly activity, and there was also a colouring-in competition with a small prize up for grabs.

Australia Fair Marketing Manager, Ms Louise Jurgs said this is a wonderful opportunity for children to feel less anxious about going to hospital and learn how the Foundation helps reduce medical hardship for local patients.

“We are delighted to host this unique event and help raise awareness and funds for this amazing charity who help support sick and injured child and adult patients suffering distress and hardship on the Gold Coast.”

The week-long activity was part of the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation’s ScrubUP September appeal, which provides a fun way for Gold Coasters to raise money to relieve medical hardship for local patients.

“Funds raised through ScrubUP September will help promote the Foundation’s vital work to help more than 95,000 local patients and families who experience illness, injury and disability each year,” Gold Coast Hospital Foundation CEO Kim Sutton said.

“The money will also keep life-saving programs running like the Foundation’s Cancer Patient Transport Service, medical equipment wish list and cutting-edge health research.”

Everyone can get involved in ScrubUP September including schools, businesses, community groups and individuals. Simply host a fundraising activity for a day, week or whole month. To receive a FREE ScrubUP September kit, sign-up online at scrubupseptember.com.au today.

Click here to download the full media release.