RBWH Foundation

🌟 Our Grant Round 3 application period is halfway through! 🕧

RBWH Foundation Grants provide up to $50,000 to support projects across Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) and Institutes on the Herston Health Precinct. Aimed at enhancing patient outcomes - your project could lead to transformative changes in healthcare 🩺👩🏼‍⚕️

This is your chance to turn innovative ideas into impactful patient care projects or ground-breaking research. Applications are open until Friday, 4 October.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity - apply today! https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/grants/round-3 💡✨

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we invite you to join us at the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Institute (CBCI) Community Forum for a morning dedicated to transformation in breast cancer care! 🌸

This FREE community forum provides an opportunity to hear from passionate clinicians, researchers, and health consumers about the latest advancements in breast cancer care.

Hear insightful presentations, participate in a Q&A session, and connect with the community and primary care providers to learn about the cutting-edge technology and advancements at Metro North Health, putting patients at the centre of care.

📆 Thursday 10 October
🕘 9 am – 10:30 am for Presentations
💕 10:30 am – 11:30 am for Morning Tea
📍 Location: Education Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Campus, Herston

Although this is a free event, please register your attendance here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1263951

🔬 Support Our Mission to Combat Delirium 🧠

Delirium—an acute, severe state of confusion—affects around 13% of hospital patients in Australia, often extending stays by up to three weeks. This complex condition is frequently undiagnosed, creating significant challenges for patient care.

Leading researcher of Internal Medicine and Aged Care at RBWH, Professor Alison Mudge and her team have already made some powerful progress, including working with external partners to develop Eat Walk Engage® – a multi-disciplinary program that improves care for older people in hospital, prevents delirium and promotes faster recovery.

Since it's establishment, the program has seen a remarkable 47% reduction in delirium rates of participants, providing safer care and getting older patients home to their families sooner.

But the work isn't done yet. This month, the RBWH Foundation is raising funds to help improve outcomes for thousands of people affected by delirium, and other similar conditions, right across Australia.

To learn more or to donate visit - https://bit.ly/3Za7c1C

Purchasing an Entertainment Membership is a wonderful way to treat your loved ones while supporting the RBWH Foundation.

From now until Monday 16 September, when you purchase an Entertainment membership via the link below, 40% of your purchase will be donated back to us.

This amazing offer means that your purchase will go twice as far in helping us improve patient care and fund life-saving research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. 🏥❤️

Enjoy members-only offers for dining, travel, activities, shopping, and more at over 15,000 locations across Australia and New Zealand. Purchase yours today 👉 https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/226r064

Last week, the RBWH Foundation proudly supported the 2024 Herston Healthcare Symposium, featuring 180+ submissions and 40 presentations over three days.

RBWH Foundation grants are crucial for new patient care projects and medical research. It was inspiring to see innovative projects from both current and past grantees showcasing their impressive work.

As a proud sponsor of the Herston Healthcare Symposium Awards, we extend a massive congratulations to the winners:

🔬 Best Discovery & Innovation Research Award: Mr Jaikrishna Balakittnen

👩🏼‍⚕️Best Clinical Research Award: Dr Julie Wixey

🏥 Best Translational Research into Practice Award: Dr Jen Setchell

❤️‍🩹 Best Consumer Partnership in Research Award: Mr Dale Trevor (RBWHF Grants Advisory Panel member and valued consumer representative in many RBWHF projects)

📑 Early Career Research Award: Dr Aurélie Benfield

🩺 Nursing and Midwifery Research Award: Elise Byrne

💉 Allied Health Research Award: Dr Deanne August

🌟 Higher Degree Research Award: Hannah Olufson (RBWHF Grant Round 1 Grantee)

We’d also like to recognise the RBWH Foundation-funded projects that received special recognition:

• Allied Health Research Award - Highly Commended: Clare Burns (2022 Project Grants)
• Nursing and Midwifery Research Award - Highly Commended: Alex Cation (Round 1 Grantee and pictured in second image)
• Consumer Partnership in Research Award - Highly Commended: Jenny Kirby (EOGR 2022) and Laura Austin (team member), both pictured in image 3 with Vivian Kahl from the RBWH Foundation.

It's fantastic to see the impact of our grants in action at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), and other key institutes in the Herston Health Precinct.

Our Grant Round 3 is currently open and accepting submissions! This is an extraordinary opportunity not to be missed, regardless of how small, or how ambitious, your project may be.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/grants/round-3

(3/3) Delirium can extend hospital stays by up to three weeks and costs Australia $8.8 billion annually due to the need for extended care and the challenges associated with recovery and cognitive issues.

Despite receiving comprehensive medical care, Richard faced a gruelling eight-month recovery period, requiring regular physiotherapy, psychology, and occupational therapy for his cardiac and brain conditions.

“It was eight months of being at the hospital every day. It was a scary time all round. But now he’s back to how he was, with some residual short-term memory loss," says Irene, Richard's wife.

While no specific drug treatment for delirium exists, early screening can help clinicians provide safer care and better support for patients and their families. "It was hospital staff who first mentioned the memory loss at the start of my recovery," Richard explains. "The psychology and occupational therapy sessions were crucial to my recovery, along with the support from Irene and my family."

Despite being a leading hospital complication in Australia, we still lack a clear understanding of why delirium occurs and have no effective drugs to treat it.

Your donation to the RBWH Foundation Spring Appeal will help fund crucial medical research and advances in patient care to support patients and their families like Richard's, and bring us one step closer to breakthroughs that can change lives.

Please, consider making a difference today. Every contribution, no matter how small, has the power to bring hope and healing.

To donate, please click here: https://bit.ly/3Za7c1C

(2/3) Delirium is an acute state of confusion that can affect anyone admitted to hospital.

Approximately 13% of inpatients in Australian hospitals experience delirium, which can extend hospital stays for as long as 3 weeks. For RBWH patient Richard De Haast, it caused a complicated recovery and resulted in long-term cognitive issues.

This complex condition, often difficult to diagnose, can lead to prolonged hospital stays, extensive rehabilitation, and long-term cognitive issues. Over 30% of people undergoing heart or hip surgery and 50% of adults in intensive care experience delirium, just like Richard.

“We thought it was just short-term memory loss. But it wasn’t just his memory. He didn’t know how to do simple things. Dressing, walking, talking – those were all things he had to relearn," recalls Richard's wife, Irene.

(1/3) "The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) has saved my life twice – and I don’t remember either!" shares Richard De Haast.

Richard, a grandfather from Brisbane, has survived not one, but two near-death emergencies in recent years. The first was a severe and unexpected anaphylactic reaction to anaesthesia, a rare event occurring in about 1 in 10,000 cases.

Two years later, Richard suffered a heart attack at home. Thankfully, his wife Irene was there to call 000. "I’m told I had no heartbeat, and the paramedics worked tirelessly to revive me,” Richard recalls.

After emergency surgery to insert heart stents at RBWH, Richard initially showed signs of recovery in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). But the relief soon gave way to confusion when Richard began to forget his surroundings and act out of character. “I had no recognition of my surroundings or memory of people, including my family,” he says.

For Irene and their family, witnessing Richard’s drastic behavioural changes was heart-wrenching. She remembers, “In the hospital, Richard was angry all the time. It was so hard for me because he was never an angry person... There was a complete character change.”

The cause of Richard’s dramatic shift became clear: he had delirium.

🌏 Today, on World Physiotherapy Day, 8 September, we want to recognise the remarkable work of Dr Michelle Cottrell and her team at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

Dr Cottrell recently received a grant from the RBWH Foundation to lead a ground-breaking project aimed at transforming outpatient care for Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery patients.

Many patients with musculoskeletal conditions are often referred to specialists for surgery when non-surgical treatments, such as physiotherapy, could be beneficial. As a dedicated musculoskeletal physiotherapist and research coordinator, Dr Cottrell and her team are working to tailor non-surgical treatments to better meet individual patient needs, making care more appealing and accessible.

By redesigning non-surgical care, this initiative aims to reduce waiting times, decrease unnecessary surgeries, and improve patient outcomes.

We are proud to support this project and Dr Cottrell, as it promises to enhance the quality of patient care and create a more efficient healthcare system for managing musculoskeletal conditions.

To learn more about Dr Cottrell's work, please click here: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/project-codesigning-multidisciplinary-musculoskeletal-care-to-better-match-patient-needs-and-preferences

🎉 Congratulations to the outstanding recipients of this year’s Metro North Research Excellence Awards! Your dedication to advancing patient care and medical research is truly inspiring, and we are proud to support your ground-breaking work.

A special shoutout to:

📑 Professor Leonie Callaway for being named Researcher of the Year (image 1)

🌟 Associate Professor Matthew Roberts for winning the Rising Star Award (image 2, centred)

💕 Professor Jed Duff for receiving the Prof Joan Webster Nursing and Midwifery Award (image 3, centred).

A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors and supporters—your contributions are fuelling life-changing discoveries.👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Together, we’re transforming healthcare and improving lives.

To continue supporting the vital work happening at Herston Health Precinct, please donate here: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/donate

Did you know that gifts pledged in Wills account for 25% of all charity revenue?

For the RBWH Foundation, a Gift in Will is one of the most generous and powerful ways you can advance patient care and life-saving research at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) and the other Institutes and Centres across the Herston Health Precinct. Without them, we simply wouldn't be able to do the work we do.

Sadly, traditional will-writing can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars which makes it difficult for many people to support the causes they care about.

That's why the RBWH Foundation has partnered with Gathered Here - Australia's most trusted online will provider, to offer our supporters access to a free online will. Gathered Here has made it as easy as possible for people to include a charity gift in their will.

Leaving a gift in your will is a very personal decision and it is important that you discuss this with your loved ones and solicitor so they can fulfil your wishes. For more information visit: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/free-will-service

This school holidays the RBWH Foundation has teamed up with The Entertainment App formerly The Entertainment Book to help you unlock great deals on dining, entertainment and accommodation.

For a limited time, every Single City Membership purchased will be upgraded to a Multi-City Membership—absolutely FREE!

This means:

🏖️ Exclusive travel deals on holiday packages & family-friendly resorts

🍔 Up to 25% off at your favourite family dining spots, cafes, & takeaway

🎟️ 2-for-1 offers at selected cinemas, theme parks, museums, cruises & more

The best news? 20% of each Entertainment membership purchased via the link below will be given to the RBWH Foundation to directly supporting patient care and life-saving research at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital🏥❤️.

Click here to purchase yours today:
👉 https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/226r064

SHE. DID. IT. 🥇🥇

The RBWH Foundation is beyond thrilled for ex Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) patient, Alexa Leary, who overnight won her second gold AND broke her second world record at the Paralympic Games in Paris!!!

From near death to the world stage, Lex's journey has been an inspiration to us all and we can't wait to see what she does next. GO LEX!

Beast mode activated! 🥇😍

🇦🇺 Pure joy for superstar Alexa Leary. She wins her second Paralympic gold, and breaks her own world record again in the S9 Women's 100m Freestyle Final with a time of 59.53. 🏊

"The fact I am swimming so very well and at the Paralympics, I am just like, 'Well done Lex, you have honestly come so very far'," Leary said after the race.

It's also Australia's 150th Paralympic gold medal in swimming. 💚💛

Live blog: https://ab.co/3MvzegL
Keep up with all the latest sport news and analysis on the ABC listen app: ab.co/ABCListenApp

A young Dad's legacy to make his family proud 💕

Jake Simpson left behind loving wife Carly Mulheran and toddler son Noah when he tragically passed away in 2017 from squamous cell carcinoma, an aggressive head and neck cancer. Jake's passing, at the age of just 22, was devastating for his family. It came less than a year after his diagnosis for this otherwise healthy father who still had so much to give.

With family foremost in his mind, Jake wanted a better future for others who may be facing the same fate at his. To improve survival rates for young patients, Jake left a generous Gift in Will to the RBWH Foundation which now supports medical research and may potentially provide early intervention for this disease.

Jake's bravery touched the hearts of all who cared for him and his enduring legacy lives on.

Leaving a Gift in Will is one of the simplest, and most powerful ways you can advance life-saving research - supporting Australia's brightest medical minds to create a healthier future for generations to come.

To learn more visit: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/gift-in-will

Include A Charity

Did you know that delirium is a leading hospital complication in Australia, costing healthcare services around $8.8 billion each year?

Affecting many older Australians – delirium is a state of confusion in the brain, often following serious illness or surgery. It can occur at any age and can develop rapidly, lasting for weeks or months.

Unfortunately, there is currently no medication to cure delirium. However, researchers at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) have found that early screening enables clinicians to provide safer care and better support for families.

With your support, research teams at RBWH are dedicated to understanding delirium, raising awareness, and implementing prevention strategies across Queensland and Australia. Together, we can make a difference for those affected by delirium, and other complex medical conditions.

You can contribute to vital medical research by donating to the RBWH Foundation spring appeal today - https://bit.ly/3Za7c1C

🚀 Big News!

The RBWH Foundation Grant Round 3 is now open and accepting applications!

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and the extraordinary power of giving, this grant round is available to staff from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), and institutes within the Herston Health Precinct.

This is your chance to bring your project to life—whether it’s a small initiative or a major endeavour. 🏥❤️‍🩹

Don’t miss out! The application deadline is 4 October 🧫🔬📑 Click here for more details or to start your application - www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/grants/round-3

This week, as we recognise 'Include a Charity Week', we're asking our supporters a pretty big question.

What will your legacy be?

Do you want to be remembered as a good friend? A loving partner or parent? Or someone who wants to support your community, long after you are gone?

You don't have to be a billionaire or famous to create a legacy. Everyone has the power to create one - including you. 💕

One of the most powerful ways you can leave a legacy to advance patient care and life-saving research is by leaving a Gift in Will to the RBWH Foundation.

A Gift in Will is generous, powerful, and simple. Some legacies are bigger than others, but all are important. Even a gift of just 1% of your estate will support Australia's brightest medical minds to create a healthier future for generations to come.

To learn more visit: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/gift-in-will

Include A Charity

As the charitable partner for Redcliffe Hospital, the RBWH Foundation is proud to share that today is the Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day. All donations made today to Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital via the link below will be doubled thanks to the generosity of matched giving partners.

Reddy or not, the wait is over -it's officially Redcliffe Hospital Giving Day! 🎉

TODAY, every dollar you donate will be matched thanks to our generous Impact Partners who are doubling your impact.🌟

Visit https://bit.ly/3Yx4QtB to donate!

Your generosity will help transform lives as we try and provide a little more comfort, dignity and “touches of home” to Redcliffe Hospital.

Let’s make a difference together ❤️

🧠 Brain Injury Awareness Week 2024 🧠

This week, we join the nationwide effort to raise awareness about brain injuries and their impact on many Australians. We're proud to support the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) at Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS), which is at the forefront of helping patients on their road to recovery. 🏥

Thanks to a generous donation from the Cory Charitable Foundation, the RBWH Foundation were able to facilitate purchasing new resources for the BIRU which included an acoustic guitar, an X-Box and a foosball table. 🎸🎮⚽

Nurse Unit Manager Deborah Kerr shared how these items aid patients in and out of therapy: “These tools not only support therapy but also bring joy and a sense of normalcy to our patients."

We met with two patients who are already benefiting from these new additions:

🥅 Stuart has a traumatic brain injury and has been enjoying the foosball table, becoming quite skilled at beating the staff!

🎸 Robert, who has been relearning his guitar skills following a stroke, initially struggled with fine motor coordination and strength. However, he shared that the guitar has been a beacon of hope for him, saying, "This guitar has been the best thing that has happened since I’ve been here."

Truly incredible work BIRU ❤️👏🏼 We're so proud to support you as you continue to raise awareness and assist patients with brain injuries!

Synapse - Australia's Brain Injury Organisation

Introducing Glenn Ellis, the newest member of our WeCU Family Care Program, who is making a significant impact in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).

Funded by the RBWH Foundation, the WeCU was established in 2022 in partnership with RBWH patient families. As an Australian first, WeCU is committed to providing families with essential support during their most challenging times, offering information, care, and comfort.

While Glenn may be new to the ICU environment, his dedication to caring for others is evident in every interaction 💜 “While I may not have a medical background, my life experiences—caring for loved ones, navigating difficult situations, and overcoming personal challenges—have instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a genuine desire to help others during their most vulnerable moments,” says Glenn, pictured here with patient family member Toni Nall.

Staffed seven days a week, WeCU assists around 200 people daily. The RBWH Foundation has also funded refurbishing the ICU waiting room, which now includes welcome packs, a library, and coffee vouchers to support families.

Read the entire story and learn how to support the WeCU Family Care Program on our blog - https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/impact-icu-family-program

Feel Good Friday: A Journey of Resilience 💪🏼

Meet Blake Thomasson. When Blake was just 15 years old, he suffered a debilitating stroke that left him unable to walk, talk, or remember his vibrant life.

After spending three months recovering at Nambour Hospital, Blake underwent six months of intensive rehabilitation at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

Fast forward 15 years, and Blake is a shining example of courage and determination to everyone around him. With unwavering support from his loved ones, Blake took a leap of faith and enrolled at the University of the Sunshine Coast overcoming self-doubt and the challenges of his recovery. Blake explained, 'I’ve often thought, “I’m a stroke victim, and people with brain injuries shouldn’t be at university – it’s too fast-paced… but then I get my grades at the end of the semester, and I’m like, “Yes, I can do this.”'

Blake’s story is a powerful reminder that setbacks can lead to extraordinary comebacks. It is an incredible example for all current patients: It’s never too late to dream big and chase your goals! 💪💚

Click the link to read more about Blake's incredible life after his stroke - https://www.usc.edu.au/about/unisc-news/news-archive/2024/august/charting-his-course-full-steam-ahead

Charting his course, full STEAM ahead Life hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Blake Thomasson, who at the age of 15 suffered a debilitating stroke which left him unable to walk, talk or remember his active life before then; but  today, at 32, Blake is challenging his ‘brain injury’ label, relearning how to learn, and forging forw...

The Spirit of Giving: Nguyen 'Thai' Dang & Diamond Tran 💜

In 2019, Thai faced a daunting diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a severe cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow. Chemotherapy at his local hospital failed to halt the cancer so Thai was referred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) where he received a life-saving bone marrow transplant (BMT) from Australia’s largest BMT unit. 🏥

Now in remission, Thai and his wife Diamond have spent the past four years hosting a special thank-you dinner to honour the healthcare workers from RBWH and Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) who helped to extend Thai's life.

At each celebration, to show their continued support for vital cancer research, Thai and Diamond present the RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske, with an annual donation of $5,177, symbolically marking the date of Thai’s transplant with the number 177. 🌈✨

Their celebrations and donations reflect their commitment to giving back and recognising those who gave Thai the gift of time. 🙏🎉 As Thai says, “I have cheated death a few times before, so doing good things for others has been our normal way of life.”

Thank you, Thai and Diamond, for celebrating our healthcare heroes and supporting the power of medical research and the RBWH Foundation. 🙌💕

Are you participating in the Bridge to Brisbane this year? Did you know that you can run and support the RBWH Foundation at the same time by signing up as an RBWH Foundation fundraiser?

Simply choose us as your charity of choice and run to help raise funds to advance patient care initiatives and lifesaving research across the Herston Health Precinct!

Whether you run on the day or participate in the virtual race, sign up using the link below - it's as easy as ready, set, go! 🏃🏼‍➡️

🏁 https://bridgetobrisbane.gofundraise.com.au/beneficiary/RBWHFoundation

With a guaranteed $5,000.00 up for grabs for one lucky winner, who wouldn’t want to buy a 50-50 Charity Raffle raffle ticket at today’s Dolphins NRL vs game at Suncorp Stadium!

Simply purchase your tickets from one of our friendly volunteers (pictured) and 50% of proceeds will go to the RBWH Foundation to support advances in patient care and life-saving research at

Not at the game? No worries! Simply visit www.5050charityraffle.com.au to purchase tickets online.

National Student Volunteer Week (NSVW) is drawing to a close, but we still have time to spotlight one more of our valued volunteers Ben - Compassion Crew team member at the RBWH Foundation and nursing student.✨

Beginning his volunteer journey with us in 2022, Ben was driven by a desire to give back to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH), where he once received care. Initially volunteering in the Eat Walk Engage program, Ben soon took on another role on the Justice of the Peace roster, drawing on his previous experience to expand his involvement.

Enjoying the variety of experiences that come with volunteering, Ben appreciates that "there is never a dull or “standard” moment volunteering in a large and busy hospital like the RBWH". With one memorable experience for Ben being connecting with Helen, a regional patient he supported during her six-week stay. "We bonded over our shared interests in science fiction literature, popular science, and world travel," explained Ben.

Ben's experience as a patient at RBWH was a pivotal moment that inspired him to go back to school and pursue a career in nursing. Balancing his studies with his volunteering work, Ben's commitment reflects a profound impact on both his personal journey and the lives of those he helps every day.

A heartfelt thank you to Ben and all our student volunteers. Your dedication and kindness make a real difference, and we’re proud to celebrate with you.

Volunteering Australia Volunteering Queensland

🎉 Exciting news! The RBWH Foundation Grant Round 3 webpage is now LIVE! 🎉

This is your chance to secure funding for innovative projects that could transform patient care and advance life-saving research within the Herston Health Precinct.

Applications for Grant Round 3 open from 1 September to 4 October 2024. Whether your project is small or ambitious, we want to hear from you! Visit the Grant Round 3 webpage to find out:

ℹ️ Key dates including our upcoming information sessions
📝 Application Examples and Guidelines
❓Frequently Asked Questions and much more!

Ready to make a difference? Visit https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/grants/round-3 to access the RBWH Foundation Grant Round 3 webpage and get started!