RBWH Foundation

26/02/2025

A beautiful new chapter begins for the Pyefinch family! 💙✨

We are delighted to congratulate Dr Robert Pyefinch and his wife Emma on the arrival of their precious son, Felix. Felix is the fourth grandchild to cherished supporters of the RBWH Foundation Dr Frank and Mrs Lorraine Pyefinch.

Born at 8:50 am on New Year’s Day, Felix was one of the first 'Royal babies' welcomed into the world here at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) in 2025
👶✨

With a deep family legacy of generosity and care, the Pyefinch family has long supported life-changing medical research and patient care at RBWH. As the family celebrates this special new arrival, we couldn't be happier for them. Welcome to the world, Felix.🐣

26/02/2025

Run for Research this April 📆

When Vicki was diagnosed with skull base cancer, all she wanted was to live long enough to hold her newborn twin granddaughters, Maisie and Millie. Thanks to life-saving research at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Vicki has now survived cancer—twice.

"Cancer can happen to anybody, so we need to put as much money into research as we possibly can." – Vicki, cancer survivor.

It is for people like Vicki that we are running this April.

By participating in the Royal Run for Research, you are helping to fund medical breakthroughs that give people like Vicki more time to spend with their loved ones. RBWH is world-renowned for its medical discoveries, but many would not be possible without community support.

🏃‍♂️ Every step you take this April fuels research that saves lives.
💙 Sign up today and make every step count!
🔗 Entry is FREE and open until 31 March. To register visit: https://bit.ly/40ZovC9

23/02/2025

Professor Jeff Lipman’s journey started with a simple walk—a mile to be exact.

While working in South Africa, he noticed something wasn’t right with the kidney function tests of his ICU patients. What followed was a deep dive into understanding how critically ill patients process medications differently, leading to life-saving breakthroughs in antibiotic dosing.

His research, supported by an RBWH Foundation grant in 2011, will save thousands of lives worldwide.

📖 Continue reading Professor Lipman's incredible story here - https://bit.ly/3CNDTJx

21/02/2025

Wednesday night was an unforgettable evening for the RBWH Foundation as we welcomed friends, donors, hospital executives, board members and more to 'A Night with Nick Earls' - the grand reveal of the RBWH Foundation's '40 Strong Stories' project: Lady Lamington's Trowel & other short stories.

A tribute to four decades of advancing patient care and medical research, we were beyond thrilled to partner with Artist-in-Residence, Nick Earls to bring these 40 Strong Stories to life and we look forward to sharing them with you, in full, over the course of the year.

The highlight of the evening was hearing from our inspirational panel of healthcare heroes Associate Professor Joel Dulhunty, Reece Crawford, and Dale Dally-Watkins, who bravely shared their personal stories of resilience, generosity and ingenuity with RBWH Foundation 40 Years Strong Ambassador and panel chair, 612 ABC Radio Brisbane host Katherine Feeney.

This wonderful evening was made possible thanks to our media partner, ABC Radio Brisbane ABC Brisbane ,Australian Unity, Olivia Cameron Photography, Woombye Cheese Company and Granite Belt Winery, Art of Krupinski - all of whom donated their time, product and/or services to make the evening a success.

📖 The first two stories from Nick Earls' 'Lady Lamington's Trowel & Other Stories' are now available. You can read or listen to them here: https://bit.ly/3CNDTJx

19/02/2025

The RBWH Foundation couldn't be more thrilled that Queensland Gives loves this photo by Olivia Cameron Photography as much as we do, of the wonderful Barbara: avid gardener at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Metro North Health The goal of the annual Queensland Gives photo challenge is to capture an act of giving, kindness, doing good or to highlight a specific cause or issue affecting Queenslanders. Barbara's green thumbs ensures everyone's day at RBWH is that little bit brighter!

Today's stunning featured photo challenge entry was sent in by Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Foundation and captured by Olivia Cameron Photography. Settler in to read this uplifting back story of beautiful Barb ❤️

Barbara Smithson is the heart and soul of Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital gardens, planting kindness and transforming the Hospital grounds into a sanctuary of colour, light and life for patients, visitors, and staff alike. For Barbara, gardening is more than a job—it’s her way of giving back to a place that has supported her community and, if needed, would provide her with care at no cost. After all, the public hospital has always been there for Queenslanders, and this is her way of repaying that generosity.

Barbara’s journey to becoming the beloved hospital gardener took 24 years of perseverance. She started at the Hospital as a laundry hand in June 1980, but her heart was always in gardening. Despite applying repeatedly for gardening positions over the years, it wasn’t until 2004 that Barbara’s determination paid off. In an era when such roles were mostly filled by men, Barbara never gave up on her passion, and her persistence was rewarded. Every garden bed became her canvas, with each patch of dirt transformed into a vibrant and calming space. But for Barbara, there was always more to be done.

She saw the neglected area at the hospital entrance—overrun with rubbish, cigarette butts, and weeds—and knew it had to change. It wasn’t just an eyesore; it was an unwelcoming space for anyone stepping foot on the grounds. Over the last few years, with the support of the RBWH Foundation and community partner ADCO Constructions, Barbara’s vision came to life.

It’s an act of kindness—a gift to the community she’s cared for all these years.

Time is running out to enter the 2025 Photo Challenge proudly sponsored by Queensland Public Trustee! Shine a light on someone who deserves acknowledgement for their kindness by visiting https://queenslandgives.org.au/photochallenge/

18/02/2025

For 40 years, the RBWH Foundation has been funding life-saving research and world-class patient care initiatives. Now, it’s your turn to make an impact!

We are excited to announce the RBWH Foundation Grant Round 4 webpage is NOW LIVE! 🎉

On the webpage, you’ll find:
📅 Key dates and information session details
📖 Application guidelines and examples
❓ Answers to common questions—and more!

Click the link to learn more: https://bit.ly/3QhW8tL

18/02/2025

🏃‍♂️ The Royal Run for Research is BACK! 🎉

After a short hiatus, one of Brisbane’s most-loved fun runs is returning bigger and better than ever – and for the first time ever, you can join us virtually!

This April, walk or run with us and raise vital funds to power life-saving medical research—breakthroughs that simply wouldn’t happen without you.

👉 Follow or like our new Royal Run for Research page to stay up to date with event news, training tips, and fundraising inspiration! Let’s hit the ground running together. 🏃‍♀️💜

We're back - bigger and better than before!

Lace up your sneakers and stretch those calf muscles because the Royal Run for Research is BACK for 2025 and is now open for early bird registrations!

🏃‍♀️A FREE, virtual fitness challenge that you can do at your own pace Run or walk - the choice is yours!

⏰Challenge dates: 1-30 April, 2025

👫 Open to all ages and fitness levels. Join as an individual or better yet – rally your friends and family together and join as a team!

Every step you take strengthens not just your body, but helps raise vital funds for medical research into causes like cancer, infectious diseases, chronic illness and more, at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH).

So what are you waiting for? It's time to get moving!

To register visit: https://bit.ly/40ZovC9

15/02/2025

Long haul truck driver Glen Bennett was doing what he had done countless times before—heading north on the Bruce Highway. Suddenly, he was engulfed in a blinding mix of fog and smoke, and visibility vanished. He braked hard, but out of nowhere, the back doors of a trailer appeared. A truck had stopped in the middle of the road, and Glen’s 64-tonne B-double had nowhere to go.

When Glen woke, his truck was on fire. And so was he.

Glen’s story is one of resilience, survival and the people who helped him through. It is the first of 40 Strong Stories, written by our inaugural RBWH Foundation Artist in Residence, Nick Earls, celebrating the ‘Humans at the Heart of Healthcare’ in our 40-year history.

📖 Continue reading Glen’s story here: https://bit.ly/3CNDTJx

05/02/2025

📖 A story 40 Years in the making… 📖

Next week, we are launching something truly special for our celebrations with best-selling Brisbane author Nick Earls —our inaugural Artist in Residence.

Once on the path to becoming a doctor, Nick chose words over wards, and now he’s bringing powerful stories to life in a way only he can.

💌 Be the first to know—sign up for Nick’s News and get exclusive updates straight to your inbox: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/newsletter/nick-earls

31/01/2025

Kicking off with a Moment of Joy! 🎉🍩

What better way to launch our 40th-anniversary celebrations than by sharing a bit of happiness with the incredible staff at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) and the Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS), who are the heart of the Herston Health Precinct? 🏥

Every day, staff at RBWH and STARS go above and beyond to provide world-class care, drive innovation, and change lives. With the support of our amazing RBWH Foundation ambassadors—Dolphins NRL and Queensland Reds teams—we celebrated our very first ‘Moment of Joy’ by delivering a small treat as a token of gratitude. 💜

And, this is just the beginning! We have 40 Moments of Joy for RBWH and STARS staff planned throughout 2025 to recognise the dedication and compassion you bring to your work every day.

30/01/2025

Thank you to Resly, one of our amazing corporate partners, for their generous $6,000 donation from their Secret Garden Gala at the Best of Tourism awards. 🌿✨

Speaking to the attendees of the Secret Garden Gala, RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske emphasised that partnerships like these are essential for the RBWH Foundation. They enable us to continue our important work. Together, we support the brilliant minds who are shaping the future of healthcare and positively impacting patient outcomes in Australia and around the world.

As we step into our 40th anniversary year, we are grateful for Resly's ongoing friendship and support. Your generosity will help fund life-changing research, patient care, and vital equipment, making a real difference in the lives of Queenslanders. 💜

Want to support the RBWH Foundation as we celebrate 40 years of impact? DM us to find out how you can help!

30/01/2025

Make a Difference in Your Community 🫶🏼

The RBWH Foundation invites local businesses to support advancements in patient care and life-saving research.

Fundraising is a fantastic way to demonstrate your company’s commitment to giving back to your local community, whilst fostering stronger connections and engagement amongst employees, customers, and stakeholders.

💡 Want to get involved and help improve the lives of many and give back to Brisbane’s growing community? Click here to learn more: https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/fundraising-hub

29/01/2025

🎉 Today, we celebrated an incredible milestone—the official launch of our 40th anniversary! For four decades, the RBWH Foundation has been driving life-saving research, world-class patient care, and healthcare innovation.

The RBWH was buzzing with excitement this morning as staff, donors and ambassadors gathered to hear from special guest and Patron, Her Excellency, the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland who reflected on the past 40 years of impact.

We also heard from the extraordinary Curtis McGrath—four-time Paralympic Gold medallist, twelve-time world champion, and a former Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) patient who spoke about his experience and the importance of research in his recovery journey.

A heartfelt thank you to our Acting Board Chair Kristin Devitt, Board Members, CEO Simone Garske, and all the donors, ambassadors, patients, and staff who made this moment unforgettable. Together, we’ve spent 40 years transforming patient outcomes—not just in Queensland, but across Australia and around the world.

None of this would have been possible without your support. For 40 years, you’ve helped us find cures, save lives, and rewrite what’s possible in healthcare. Here’s to continuing this life-changing work together!

28/01/2025

🧧🪭The RBWH Foundation wishes a very happy Lunar New Year to our Asian/Chinese community of donors and supporters.

May this Year of the Snake bring you wisdom, knowledge and joy! 🐍❤️

23/01/2025

🎉 Join us on Sunday, 2 March, for a special afternoon tea celebrating 40 years of connection, compassion, and community with the RBWH Foundation.

All current and former staff and alumni of RBWH, STARS, Herston Health Precinct, Redcliffe Hospital and the RBWH Foundation are invited to be part of this milestone event.

🎟️ Tickets are $55, including a welcome drink, a delicious selection of sweet and savoury treats, and unlimited tea and coffee.

💫 Secure your spot now - https://bit.ly/493rVqQ ✨

20/01/2025

For 23 years, Cathy Yang has been a beacon of generosity, connecting those who wish to give with meaningful opportunities to do so within the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (RBWH) community.

As one of the Foundation's dedicated Fundraising Managers, Cathy's partnerships within the Chinese and Asian communities have helped raise millions of dollars for advances in patient care and life-saving research across the Herston Health Precinct.

Driven by her own values of compassion, care and generosity for others, Cathy inspires acts of generosity year after year - often the first to 'ring the donation bell' at our annual Giving Day events.

"Donating to health and education is a way for many of the donors I work with to express their gratitude and give back to their community," she said.

As the Foundation celebrates our 40th anniversary, Cathy encourages more people to embrace generosity in 2025. "Knowing my efforts could help save and improve someone’s life, even if the help is minor - that is so rewarding," she shares.

Thank you, Cathy, for your dedication over the last 23 years. We celebrate your remarkable contributions and passion, proving that every gift makes a lasting impact!

14/01/2025

Did you know over 90% of hospital patients spend their days inactive, contributing to 40% of them experiencing functional decline by the time they are discharged?🏥

The wards of RBWH and Redcliffe Hospital were a buzz of activity recently, when a number of patients across both hospitals participated in a fun ward-to-ward challenge to encourage mobility and cognitive engagement.

Catering to the various mobility levels of patients, the challenge utilised 'bingo cards' that they could tick off each time they completed a mobility task, with the winners awarded prize packs, courtesy of the Foundation.

This activity is one of many run annually by the Eat Walk Engage®️ program, developed by Professor Alison Mudge at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). The program focuses on improving the mobility, cognitive engagement and nutrition of patients as a way of preventing delirium, a common condition affecting one in three older patients in hospital.

What did the patients think of the challenge?:

"I completed all the bingo tasks!," said Fran proudly showing her bingo card with nurse Sheree. Fran, who worked at RBWH for over 15 years added "It's a beautiful full-circle moment to be cared for by the same hospital where I've worked to care for others."

Swipe through to see some more patient and staff activities from the day!🌟