Life can change in an instant. For these patients, it was a fight for survival.
Dr James Winearls' Story
From ICU doctor to ICU patient - Dr James Winearls had to fight for his life.
In the blink of an eye, life can change forever. Dr James Winearls, an ICU Consultant and ECMO Clinical Lead at Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), has witnessed this countless times. Leading the hospital’s ECMO Service, he fights to save the sickest patients using cutting-edge life support technology. Thanks to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation’s donation of a mobile ECMO life support vehicle, Dr Winearls and his team now bring this life-saving care directly to patients in critical need.
But last Christmas, his life took an unexpected turn – transforming from doctor to patient as he fought for his own survival.
Tillie's Story
Donated equipment played a part in saving Tillie's life. Born at 24 weeks, weighing only 728 grams.
When Ashleigh was pregnant with Tillie, she envisioned slow, snuggly days at home, basking in the bliss of a newborn bubble. But instead, she found herself living out a nightmare—standing in her daughter’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) room, asking her medical team daily, “Is Tillie stable enough to hold?” On many days, the heartbreaking answer was “no.”
Your donation can make a difference to lives in our community, like Tameka's and baby Tillie's.
Tameka's Story
Emergency Accomodation helped this family stay together during a critical time
Tameka never expected to feel the way she did after giving birth. Postnatal depression became a real challenge for her, bringing her and her baby to hospital for much needed support. Her husband was desperate to stay as close as he could to his new born and mother of his child, however finding accomodation was another challenge they didn't need.
Kevin's Story
Internal bleeding and an ICU visit, Kevin was in critical need
As Kevin's son waited in the ICU waiting area, many things were going through his head. He had no idea if his father was going to pull through and spent countless hours speaking with others, who's loved ones also remained in a critical condition. Kevin never thought his daily ride would wind him up in ICU with critical internal bleeding.
