OUR STORIES

Kelly

As a reporter, Kelly heard her share of terrifying stories... She never through she'd be one.

Gerry

Thanks to the unwavering passion of the SCGH ICU team of specialists and doctors to improve patient treatment options, Gerry is alive today.

Norman and Deanie

‘This is no way of living. I’m ready to die.’ Several years ago, Norman found himself thinking those exact thoughts.

Barbara

Back in 2013, 57-year-old Barbara thought she was fairly healthy. She had some back pains, but she put them down to age. When the pains persisted, however, she sought a diagnosis – the start of a life-saving journey with Leon Adams and the Hepatology team at Charlies.

Tom & Nancy

A new catheter, developed by researchers from Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and UWA, is helping patients in the final stages of lung cancer, breast cancer and mesothelioma breathe more easily and spend precious time at home, rather than in hospital. It’s an innovation that has made a huge difference to Tom Sutcliffe’s life. 

Brieanna & Braedon

At the age of 14, Brieanna, suddenly feeling unwell, went to her GP who thought she might have glandular fever. Later that night, she was so sick that she was rushed in an ambulance to hospital, where she was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. She was literally on death’s door.

Hugo

Hugo was a healthy 79-year-old: or so he thought. He was living an active, retired lifestyle in the Perth suburbs, when he felt a dull pain in his lower back. Hugo assumed he had pulled a muscle. The pain persisted for a few weeks, and Hugo decided to see his GP, a visit that may have saved his life.

Rosie

Laryngectomy patients go through a lifechanging surgery that will alter not only the way they talk, but the way they breathe, eat and live their lives. Our donors have helped make that process a little easier on some of our indigenous patients through incredible generosity.

Neurological Research in ICU

In memory of her brother, SCGH Physiotherapist Niamh ran the 2023 Sydney Marathon and raised an incredible $6,300 to support neurological research advances in ICU

In memory of Kirsten

Inspired by Kirsten, who faced life-threatening medical crises at SCGH, the My Life After ICU website aims to support survivors and their families, by addressing the challenges faced by patients and provides strategies and support to vastly improve their quality of life.

Kate Baumwol & Dr John Blakey develop Intervention Clinic

One of the top reasons for emergency department admissions is for severe coughing and a sudden difficulty to breathe – both an indicator of serious illnesses such as lung cancer, asthma and interstitial lung disease. However, there can be another cause, very often confused as asthma.

Dr Piyush Grover

In the often uncharted territory where allergies and cancer intersect, Dr Piyush Grover alongside his mentors Professor Anna Nowak and Professor Micheala Lucas, are pioneering ground breaking research by unravelling the connection between allergic reactions and cancer medications.

Dr Leon Adams

With diabetes and obesity on the rise, so too is the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects one quarter of Australia’s population and can lead to life-threatening cirrhosis. Charlies’ associate professor Leon Adams and his fellow researchers are working to understand and find a treatment, with the help of Charlies for Research donors.

Dr Sarah D'Souza

It is hard to imagine not being able to communicate, especially when it comes to your health. Dr Sarah D’Souza, a Senior Speech Pathologist at SCGH and deserving winner of our Early Explorer Grant, in partnership with Edith Cowan University, identified the everyday challenges of communicating with patients after a stroke.

SCGH Social Work

Did you know one in six women and one in sixteen men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or previous partner? One woman is killed every nine days, and one man is killed every 29 days by a partner. Unfortunately, the staff at the emergency department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital know these statistics all too well.

Jimena Garcia-Vega

In a leading-edge international collaboration, Jimena Garcia-Vega, Senior Neurological Physiotherapist at SCGH, is continuing her unflagging pursuit of the mystery of lateropulsion in brain cancer patients.

Dr Gary Lee

SCGH Social Work - A lifeline for someone in need

Did you know one in six women and one in sixteen men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or previous partner? One woman is killed every nine days, and one man is killed every 29 days by a partner. Unfortunately, the staff at the emergency department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital know these statistics all too well.

Virtual Reality helping enhance patient care

The ICU team at SCGH has achieved remarkable strides in patient care, exploring innovative approaches to enhance the well-being of patients.

Digital Frames Bringing Families Closer in Hospital

Patients, especially those from rural areas, struggle to connect with loved ones in hospital. This can lead to social isolation and reduced opportunities to communicate. The digital frame lets patients connect with family and friends outside the hospital.

Supporting Indigenous and Rural patients

We helped provide essential items like clothing, toiletries, and short-term accommodation to make sure that Aboriginal patients have the things they need. For example, we provide warm clothes to people from remote areas. This ensures their comfort during their hospital stay.

Honouring Life's Last Moments

It's an end-of-life program which honours the dignity of dying patients by fulfilling their last wishes. It also fosters meaningful connections with loved ones. One touching example is leaving the patient’s handprint on a canvas. This provides a lasting and personal memory.