LUNG TRANSPLANT UNIT BREATHES NEW LIFE FOR 126 QUEENSLANDERS
Published Friday, 22 September, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
More than 100 Queenslanders have enjoyed longer and better lives thanks to the Prince Charles Hospital’s internationally-respected Lung Transplant Unit, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson joined lung transplant recipients and staff at the hospital today to celebrate the Lung Transplant Unit’s 10th anniversary.
He said since Dr Keith McNeil and Dr Robert Tam established the unit in 1996, it had performed 110 lung transplants, 13 heart-lung transplants and three heart-lung-liver transplants.
“Through this unit, the Prince Charles Hospital has literally performed miracles for the past 10 years,” Mr Robertson said.
“The hospital is one of only four Australian centres performing both heart and lung transplants and a total of 126 Queenslanders have enjoyed new lives thanks to the dedication and hard work of our wonderful expert clinicians in the unit.”
Mr Robertson said the Prince Charles’ transplant team made history in 2003 when they partnered with Princess Alexandra Hospital surgeons to perform Australia’s first triple organ (heart-lung-liver) transplant.
“They repeated the effort with Australia’s first female triple organ transplant recipient last year,” he said.
“Transplant operations are delicate and highly complex procedures.
“This is underlined by the fact that it costs more than $100,000 to perform a successful lung transplant.
“These are life-changing, life saving medical procedures that have been perfected over the past few decades to a stage where they are accepted as almost standard practice.”
Mr Robertson said transplantation, either tissue or organ, is impossible without the generosity of donors and their families.
“I pay a special tribute to the organ donors and their families throughout Australia who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given the ultimate gift – the gift of life,” he said.
“They are probably the best gift one could give and they have helped transform so many lives.”
Mr Robertson said lung transplant recipients usually lead healthy and relatively normal lives following their transplant.
“They often return to work or study, travel extensively and sometimes even return to playing competitive sports – in fact many are competing in the Lung Transplant Games in Geelong this week,” he said.
“Some Queensland lung transplant recipients have competed in the World Transplant Games held in Canada and France. The Games will be held on the Gold Coast in 2009.
“It is not surprising that many become ambassadors helping to passionately promote the cause of ‘organ donation’.”
Mr Robertson said Australia boasted one of the highest transplant success rates in the world.
“However, there are always a number of people needing transplants who are waiting for organs and I urge Queenslanders to consider donating their organs.
“Registering your intention to donate on the Australian Organ Donor Register and telling your family of your wishes are the most important things you can do to ensure that your wishes are carried out.”
To help mark the 10th anniversary, lung transplant recipients raised $3,000 to present a gift to the Prince Charles Hospital as a token of their appreciation.
People interested in becoming an organ donor should contact the Australian Organ Donor Register on 1800 777 203 or pick up a brochure at a Medicare office.
22 September 2006
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Mr Robertson joined lung transplant recipients and staff at the hospital today to celebrate the Lung Transplant Unit’s 10th anniversary.
He said since Dr Keith McNeil and Dr Robert Tam established the unit in 1996, it had performed 110 lung transplants, 13 heart-lung transplants and three heart-lung-liver transplants.
“Through this unit, the Prince Charles Hospital has literally performed miracles for the past 10 years,” Mr Robertson said.
“The hospital is one of only four Australian centres performing both heart and lung transplants and a total of 126 Queenslanders have enjoyed new lives thanks to the dedication and hard work of our wonderful expert clinicians in the unit.”
Mr Robertson said the Prince Charles’ transplant team made history in 2003 when they partnered with Princess Alexandra Hospital surgeons to perform Australia’s first triple organ (heart-lung-liver) transplant.
“They repeated the effort with Australia’s first female triple organ transplant recipient last year,” he said.
“Transplant operations are delicate and highly complex procedures.
“This is underlined by the fact that it costs more than $100,000 to perform a successful lung transplant.
“These are life-changing, life saving medical procedures that have been perfected over the past few decades to a stage where they are accepted as almost standard practice.”
Mr Robertson said transplantation, either tissue or organ, is impossible without the generosity of donors and their families.
“I pay a special tribute to the organ donors and their families throughout Australia who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given the ultimate gift – the gift of life,” he said.
“They are probably the best gift one could give and they have helped transform so many lives.”
Mr Robertson said lung transplant recipients usually lead healthy and relatively normal lives following their transplant.
“They often return to work or study, travel extensively and sometimes even return to playing competitive sports – in fact many are competing in the Lung Transplant Games in Geelong this week,” he said.
“Some Queensland lung transplant recipients have competed in the World Transplant Games held in Canada and France. The Games will be held on the Gold Coast in 2009.
“It is not surprising that many become ambassadors helping to passionately promote the cause of ‘organ donation’.”
Mr Robertson said Australia boasted one of the highest transplant success rates in the world.
“However, there are always a number of people needing transplants who are waiting for organs and I urge Queenslanders to consider donating their organs.
“Registering your intention to donate on the Australian Organ Donor Register and telling your family of your wishes are the most important things you can do to ensure that your wishes are carried out.”
To help mark the 10th anniversary, lung transplant recipients raised $3,000 to present a gift to the Prince Charles Hospital as a token of their appreciation.
People interested in becoming an organ donor should contact the Australian Organ Donor Register on 1800 777 203 or pick up a brochure at a Medicare office.
22 September 2006
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185