Spinnaker-Health Research Foundation

On 25 July, Spinnaker HRF hosted a special public lecture in acknowledgement of DonateLife week. In addition to encouraging the community to join the organ donation register, the sold-out event shone a light on the critical role of research in the transplant journey, including patient outcomes.

Key note speakers included Heart & Lung Research Institute (HLRI) Chair & specialist cardiac anaesthetist Dr Warren Pavey, heart transplant recipient Mr Brett Driessen, HLRI researcher and anaesthetist Dr Lisa Alarcon and Dr Robert Larbalestier AO, who pioneered the Western Australian Heart and Lung Transplant Service and performed the very first heart and lung transplants in WA.

Thank you to all that attended. If you would like to be notified about the next public lecture, please visit our website to and subscribe to our newsletter https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/keepintouch/

Photos by Matt Jelonek ... See more

On 25 July, Spinnaker HRF hosted a special public lecture in acknowledgement of DonateLife week. In addition to encouraging the community to join the organ donation register, the sold-out event shone a light on the critical role of research in the transplant journey, including patient outcomes.

Key note speakers included Heart & Lung Research Institute (HLRI) Chair & specialist cardiac anaesthetist Dr Warren Pavey, heart transplant recipient Mr Brett Driessen, HLRI researcher and anaesthetist Dr Lisa Alarcon and Dr Robert Larbalestier AO, who pioneered the Western Australian Heart and Lung Transplant Service and performed the very first heart and lung transplants in WA.

Thank you to all that attended. If you would like to be notified about the next public lecture, please visit our website to and subscribe to our newsletter https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/keepintouch/

Photos by Matt Jelonek ... See more

For those of you that were unable to attend our recent event Stories from a transplant team: Heart & Lung Research Inst WA, you can read Brett Driessen's story in the link below. Brett received the most precious gift of all following a viral heart infection.

https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/our-impact/bretts-story ... See more

Brett Driessen’s life took a life-threatening turn when an unknown virus invaded, and ultimately, destroyed his heart.

Spinnaker is proud to support the Heart and Lung Research Institute of WA Inc who are working hard to improve organ donation. This year, we supported HLRI's Dr Herbert Ludewick who’s project aims to identify when a patient is at risk of lung transplant rejection:
"Rejection can happen at any time after the lung transplant and is the most common complication that leads to death...The grant provides us with opportunity to evaluate a panel of genes that could provide a more accurate and earlier diagnosis of acute lung rejection, a major life threatening problem for patients that have received a transplant lung."

Donate to support heart and lung research at www.spinnakerhealth.org.au

You can spot Herbert working away in the lab at 0:17 seconds. ... See more

It's DonateLife Week. There are currently 1600 Australians on the organ donor waitlist. There are two things you can do to help:
1. Register to become an organ donor
2. Make a donation to heart and lung research at www.spinnakerhealth.org.au

Pictured below is Spinnaker friend Geoff Fisher who was given a second chance at life. You can read his story here: https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/our-impact/geoffs-story/

#donatelife #spinnakerhrf #donatelifeweek ... See more

Spinnaker is delighted to share the announcement of The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia as Patron of Spinnaker Health Research Foundation.

“I am proud to be a Patron of Spinnaker Health Research Foundation - an organisation which supports innovative health and medical research in collaboration with universities and research institutions in Western Australia. Ensuring the best health outcomes for our community has never been more important and we are lucky to have Spinnaker contributing to our world-class research efforts here in WA.”

https://www.spinnakerhealth.org.au/news-events/spinnaker-health-research-foundation-patron-announcement/ ... See more

Spinnaker Health Research Foundation Patron Announcement Post by: Spinnaker Foundation Post on: July 2, 2020 The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia accepts invitation to become a Patron of Spinnaker Health Research Foundation Hon K Beazley Announcement 2-7-20 Web ... See more

Congratulations to Prof Elaine Holmes who has been awarded the prestigious Australian Laureate Fellowship from the Australian Research Council. Prof Holmes Fellowship aims to improve our understanding of age-related changes in the gut microbiome, which can ultimately contribute to the treatment and prevention of disease worldwide.

https://www.murdoch.edu.au/news/articles/professor-elaine-holmes-awarded-australia-research-council-australian-laureate-fellowship ... See more

Head of Computational and Systems Medicine, Premier’s Research Fellow, Professor Elaine Holmes, Australian Laureate Fellow 2020 microbiomes ageing

A message of thanks to our donors from CEO, Dana Henderson.