The Common Good Au

🎉 Bridge to Brisbane Race Week is here!

And today, we're giving a huge shoutout to Muscle Garden Wavell Heights! 🎉

Their incredible support through this year's event will make a real impact. 🏃‍♂️💪

Adam and Kay from Muscle Garden shared why they're so passionate about giving back: "As a local business, we owe our existence to our community. Supporting The Common Good and its mission to help people live healthier for longer is a natural fit for us. How could we not get behind such a great cause?"

Join the Muscle Garden team in supporting vital medical research, equipment and patient care programs at The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital through this year's Bridge to Brisbane! 🌟

Click here to contribute 👉https://tcg.org.au/mgb2b

See you in 6 days, Brisbane! 💙

⭐With the Bridge to Brisbane just around the corner, we're thrilled to highlight our current top 3 fundraisers!

Haven't signed up yet? There’s still time to join the excitement and make a meaningful impact by raising funds for research, special equipment, and patient care programs at The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital🏥❤️

Huge thanks and congratulations to:
💠Kara Castles
💠Varsha Raghavan
💠Andrew Brown

🏃We hope to see you at the start line 10 days!

To join us, click here👉https://tcg.org.au/b2b

Another Ekka has been and gone, and showgoers proved that even rain couldn’t dampen their love of the iconic strawberry sundaes and their desire to make a difference for our cause and for people they know and love.

🍓Over nine days, our dedicated scoop troop served an incredible 125,890 sundaes!

And it takes A LOT of ice cream and strawberries to make that many of the much-loved treats.

Find out more about what ingredients are needed to create a successful strawberry sundae season here👉https://tcg.org.au/ekkarecap

It's no secret that it takes many hands to make the tens of thousands of strawberry sundaes we serve at the Ekka each year.

Today, we wanted to say a huge thank you to Coles for the part they play in the impact of these tasty treats.

For the past two years, Coles has generously donated half of the cream we use as garnish on top of the sundaes. 🍓🍦

This year, we also had a team of incredible staff from their Coles Newstead store who rolled up their sleeves and served sundaes to our customers!

This incredible support allows us to contribute even more funding to vital research, equipment, and patient care programs at The Prince Charles Hospital. 🏥

Thank you to Coles and to each and every one of you who supports our life-saving sundaes!

There are only three and a half days left to get your Ekka Strawberry Sundae fix for 2024! 🍓🍦
(Yep, that's right - these tasty treats are only available once a year!)

So, if you're heading to the show over the next few days, please stop by one of The Common Good's five stalls for a sundae or two! Your taste buds will thank you, plus each sundae you buy helps to raise crucial funds for research, equipment, and patient care initiatives at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Thank you to everyone who has devoured one of these delectable ice creams so far and to all our volunteers who've helped us scoop and serve them at the show!

Have you been to the Ekka yet this year? 🎡

Our volunteers have been hard at work these past few days to ensure showgoers have been able to get their Strawberry Sundae fix. 🍓🍦

Did you know the Ekka is the ONLY time of year to purchase one of these delectable treats?

And no matter the weather, when you buy one of these sundaes, you're raising pivotal funds for The Common Good to support special equipment, research and patient programs of need at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by a stall to treat themselves so far and to the hundreds of incredible volunteers who have joined the Scoop Troop! 🫶

Strawberry Sundae Kisses by Stone & Wood Brewing is back in 2024! 🍻 🍓

Some Foundation staff and board members, and other special guests, including corporate supporters and researchers, had the first official taste test last night!

This limited-edition beer, which pays homage to the original strawberry sundae and raises funds for the Foundation, is described as creamy and delectable and wouldn't be possible without Stone & Wood Brisbane's Head Brewer, Mick Barnes.

This year, you'll find Strawberry Sundae Kisses at Craft Beer Alley at the Ekka from August 10-18 and at Stone & Wood's Fortitude Valley brewery until it sells out (which is usually pretty fast!).

Thank you to Stone & Wood for your ongoing support, and thanks to everyone who joined us last night to sample the beer.

Today, we are delighted to celebrate a special milestone for Chloe, our General Manager of Communications, Marketing, and Engagement ❤️

Chloe has clocked up three fantastic years at The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation 🎉

Her positive influence, creativity, and persistence have been instrumental in the success of several major philanthropic and community campaigns, resulting in some amazing impacts—one of them being 'Charlie's Village', a village-like community area with custom-built familiar facades such as a hair salon, bakery, and post office within the specialist unit where patients with dementia and other cognitive impairments are cared for. This initiative is an Australian first for a public hospital.

"My role is to inspire a generous community to support research, equipment, and programs for people who need them now and in the future," she said.
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"The past three years have been incredibly fast-paced, but I'm proud of what we've achieved as a group. What brings me the most joy since joining the Foundation is speaking with patients and their families. There's a lot of trust involved when it comes to hearing and sharing people's experiences, and I'm grateful to everyone who entrusts me with their story."
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If you are heading to the Ekka over the next nine days, you might spot Chloe, so be sure to say hello! 👋

The Bridge to Brisbane is JUST ONE MONTH AWAY, and today, we'd like to introduce you to Kara - our catering manager, one of the many inspiring individuals participating in this year's event!

Kara has a personal reason for running in the 2024 Bridge to Brisbane and wants to make a difference for a cause close to her heart.

"I want to raise funds for the Foundation because someone in my family is suffering from silicosis. The work the Foundation is doing to help support those working on a cure inspires me and gives me the drive and motivation to raise as much as I can."

You can support Kara and her meaningful run here👉https://tcg.org.au/kara

August is Tradies National Health Month👷 🔨 🏗️

‌The awareness month, established by the Australian Physiotherapy Association in 2012, is described as “a time to invest in tradies’ health whether you know one, love one, or are one.”

‌At The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, we have an initiative called The Tradie Health Institute, which was established in collaboration with the public health sector, our largest lung centre, universities, scientists and industry.

This initiative strives to improve the prognosis for the thousands of Australian tradespeople who’ve been diagnosed with an occupational lung disease.

‌The recent progress made by the Tradie Health Institute is only possible with the support of the community and partners coming together – one of those partners is the HIA Charitable Foundation (HIACF), which recently made its second $50,000 contribution to the research initiative._

‌“The Tradie Health Institute and the HIACF both focus on the well-being and safety of tradies and wish to have a positive impact on their lives. It is only thanks to the generosity, like that of the HIACF, that we can continue to fund the vital and potentially life-saving work. We are profoundly grateful for the support received by the HIACF to date,” said Grant Nibbs, General Manager of Philanthropy and Fundraising at The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.

‌Thank you again to the HIA Charitable Foundation_. 🙏

‌[Pictured: Professor Dan Chambers and National President of the HIA, Debbie Johnson]

Late last month, we hosted our annual research award ceremony to honour some exceptional researchers who received grant funding from The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation in 2024.

Grant funding is crucial to advancing research and innovation, and at this event, we acknowledged 49 recently awarded grants, with the total amount for the awards being more than $4.7M.

Click here to read more about the grants awarded and to see some photos from the day👉https://tcg.org.au/researchawards

With just a few sleeps until the Ekka, we wanted to introduce you to a local Brisbane business that plays a pivotal role in making the Strawberry Sundaes a reality!

‌Meet Simon and Yvette, owners of Lick Ice Cream 🍦

‌It's their incredible team that has been working hard behind the scenes for months, creating the strawberry ice cream that makes these iconic treats so delectable. (Did you know it's made just for Ekka?)

‌"We feel so humbled to be supplying the iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundae ice cream! More importantly, every sundae sold at The Common Good's five stalls raises money to support vital hospital research through the hard work of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation," said Simon.

‌“Production this year has not been without its challenges. With record-breaking sales last year came record-breaking pre-orders this year and huge amounts of fresh cream and egg yolk - not easy when we have an egg shortage in Australia. But we leaned on our local suppliers to help us out."

‌Thank you for your continued support, Simon and Yvette, and for creating an ice cream flavour that brings the crowds back each year. 🫶

‌Click here to read five reasons why Ekka Strawberry Sundaes are so special 👉 _https://www.thecommongood.org.au/news/five-reasons-ekka-strawberry-sundaes-are-so-special/

A remarkable moment for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation✨

CEO Steve Fancia and Board Chair Chris Morton were honoured to attend the Queensland Gives Philanthropy Awards this past June and accept the 2024 Philanthropic Foundation of the Year award.

The entire Foundation remains deeply grateful for this recognition, but we couldn't achieve such life-changing impacts alone!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed in their own ways to support the tangible and impactful health and research outcomes that the Foundation is proud to champion. ❤️

Philanthropic Foundation of the Year 2024 Sponsored by the Queensland Public Trustee

A huge thank you to Fire EMT for generously loaning us one of their company utes for the third consecutive year during the Ekka period.

This incredible support not only enables us to transport items efficiently for our Ekka Strawberry Sundae operations but also allows us to redirect those cost savings into vital research, equipment, and patient care programs at The Prince Charles Hospital and Caboolture Hospital.

Thank you, Garry Dawson, for your continued support, we are incredibly grateful. You might even find a few tubs of delicious ice cream in the ute upon its return.

This Friday, we're flashing back to last week, when Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager George gave Ella Cohen from the Gold Coast Turf Club a thank-you certificate for their generous donation of $5,000 following the Men Matter Charity Raceday.

The annual event raises funds for men's health research and projects, and we are delighted to be one of the beneficiaries🤝

Thanks to this event, the Gold Coast Turf Club has donated over $85,000 to The Common Good over the past four years❤️

Iconic Ekka Strawberry Sundaes are more than just ice cream🍦🍓

They help fund researchers like Thomas, a sleep scientist at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a very common condition, often managed by the use of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine.

Thomas is investigating the cognitive impairments and residual risk in patients with this condition, looking at the impacts for patients after two months of CPAP intervention. He hopes that his work will confirm the effectiveness of CPAP therapy in improving cognitive function in patients with OSA.

You can learn more about Thomas and his research here👉https://tcg.org.au/grants

STRAWBERRY SUNDAE VOLUNTEERING 🌙🍦

Join us at the Ekka for an evening (or two!) serving up delicious Strawberry Sundaes!🍓

For the perfect way to enjoy the festivities while making a difference, register now👉tcg.org.au/ekka24

Meet George 👋

George joined the team earlier in the year as Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager.

She is passionate about working with incredible supporters to help connect their generosity to the research, equipment and impacts that are most meaningful to them.

"I've been deeply touched by the stories which our supporters share with us. Everyone has a reason for giving and I see it as an honour to partner with them to ensure their gift is directed towards an outcome that brings them pride and joy."

Outside of work, George is active in her position on the Committee for Women in Tourism (Gold Coast).

We're thrilled to have George on the team and hear about the wonderful relationships she has formed.

These iconic ice creams are more than just a sundae 🍓

When you indulge in one of these treats at this year’s Ekka you’re helping to fund vital clinical, translational and scientific research to improve health outcomes for people we know and love.

One of the researchers we help to support is Edward, who is a student at the University of Queensland Thoracic Research Centre (UQTRC) based at The Prince Charles Hospital.

He is one of many in this talented multidisciplinary team working to improve the lung health of Queenslanders.

⭐Can you help us scoop and serve Ekka Strawberry Sundaes during our night shifts at this year's show? To register or find out more, click here: tcg.org.au/ekka24

This week is Donate Life Week, and we want to take a moment to acknowledge the extraordinary impacts the gift of a transplant can bring.
According to DonateLife, up to 7 lives can be saved by a single organ donor.

Every day in labs at The Prince Charles Hospital, many of the researchers we support are working on treatments and processes to enable more organs to be used, make transplants more successful, and reduce post-transplant complications.

However, it's important to remember that organs and tissue are essential to making those transplants possible and saving lives.

You can register to become an organ donor in minutes - an act that might one day change a life forever.

Register with Donate Life today👉http://donatelife.gov.au

🍓🍦These iconic ice creams are more than just a sundae.

When you treat yourself to an Ekka Strawberry Sundae at this year's show, you’re helping to fund vital work from researchers like Clayton from the Critical Care Research Group’s Innovative Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Laboratory (ICETLab).

This lab is staffed by talented researchers and engineers who are striving to turn ideas for innovative devices, like artificial hearts and valves, into technology that can be used in clinical practice and ultimately save lives❤️

You can read more about the ICETlab here 👉 https://www.ccrg.org.au/icetlab

🍓It's more than just a sundae...

These iconic ice creams support vital equipment, life-changing research, and special patient care programs at The Prince Charles Hospital - Australia's leading cardiology hospital and home to Queensland's second busiest Children's Emergency Department🏥

Yes, these special Ekka Strawberry Sundaes might melt in your mouth in a matter of minutes, but their impact makes a huge difference in our community.

See you in 15 days Brisbane! 👋