It’s nearly time to ring in a new year, but before we do, we’re pausing to reflect on and celebrate everything achieved in 2023 – because what a year it was!
All fundraising feats – as well as research and patient care outcomes we’re a part of – are thanks to many people coming together for the common good. And for that commitment and support, we are incredibly grateful.
In this blog, we shine a light on some of the most memorable moments and accomplishments of 2023. So, read on to learn about the highlights you’ve helped us achieve this year.
Research Impacts realised in 2023
There’s no shortage of passion and dedication among the researchers we help to support – but there’s no denying that medical breakthroughs or work that lead to improvements takes hours, months and, in many cases, years.
Currently, there are 118 active grants.
Plus, fifteen research grants were completed this year, and thanks to the generous support of our community, there were 38 grants awarded in 2023.
9 x Innovation Grants
13 x New Investigator Grants
2 x PhD Scholarships
2 x Research Fellowship
2 x Innovation and Capacity Building Grants
10 x Equipment Grants
First patients admitted to ICU of The Future bedspaces
The first patients were admitted to the two revolutionary ICU of The Future bedspaces in January 2023.
This project, driven by The Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) and supported by hundreds of our donors, was the culmination of more than five years of hard work and has the potential to change the design of Intensive Care Units around the world.
Ongoing evaluation of this space is now underway to determine the newly designed environment’s impacts on patient outcomes during and after ICU admission, including physical, cognitive, and mental health recovery, incidences of delirium, and quality of sleep.
Volunteering for The Common Good in 2023
We rely on the generosity of many to create such a life-changing difference, and one way we raise crucial funds is through several events, including Ekka, Australian Unity Tour de Brisbane, the Echo Australia Conference and Giving Day.
Volunteers are an instrumental part of these events, and each year, we are fortunate to have hundreds of people generously donate their time to ensure these events are a success.
At Ekka alone, there were over 2,000 volunteers who donated close to 8,000 volunteering hours, allowing us to scoop up and serve a record number of the beloved strawberry sundaes to showgoers.
Keen to volunteer at an event in 2024? Read more about our upcoming volunteering opportunities here.
Hospital Volunteers in 2023
The service of hospital volunteers is an invaluable one.
Proudly supported by Kedron-Wavell, the Charlie’s Angels hospital volunteers assist patients, visitors and staff across The Prince Charles Hospital, the breast screen clinic and the Foundation office.
At present, there are over 100 Charlie’s Angels, and collectively they have clocked up an astounding 26,400 volunteering hours this year. Per week, they complete around 155 shifts, which totals about 550 hours.
In December, the Enquiries Desk, serviced by the Charlie’s Angels, received a refresh, which makes it a more visible place for patients and visitors to receive assistance from our wonderful volunteers. The new space also includes the ‘Charlie’s Angels Honor Board’, recognising significant years of service.
With an expanded Caboolture Hospital, the marvellous team of over 25 Caboolture Hospital volunteers also provide an invaluable service to the hospital and the community.
If giving back to the community through volunteering is one of your new year resolutions – why not consider volunteering through The Common Good? Find out more here.
Fundraising Feats in 2023
We had so many champions for a cause this year who rallied the support of the community to raise valuable funds to help people live healthier for longer.
The below are just some of the incredible fundraising feats from 2023!
1. Long Kayak for Lungs 2
Bill Van Nierop kayaked roughly 800 kilometres of the Murrumbidgee River, raising more than $55,000 for further research into the life-limiting lung condition, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and spreading awareness of lung disease through rural communities.
2. Tree Party for The Common Good
A community fundraising event held in May in Seventeen Seventy – called the Tree Party for The Common Good – raised more than $12,000 for vital Cystic Fibrosis research.
3. Australian Unity Tour de Brisbane
More than $126,000 was raised for transplant research and research into related conditions through the city stopping cycling event – the Australian Unity Tour de Brisbane.
4. The Prince Charles Hospital’s Giving Day
Our third annual giving day for The Prince Charles Hospital saw more than $157,000 raised to fund some of the immediate needs of the Hospital’s Children’s Emergency Department and Paediatrics Ward.
Funds raised from past giving days have contributed to the delivery of incredible patient care projects, including healing ceilings, the rejuvenation of a Wellness Room inside the Mental Health Unit and the expansion of the Grandfriends program.
5. Strawberry Sundae Sales
Ekka showgoers devoured over 150,000 Strawberry Sundaes at this year’s event, making it the largest year on record! Over 21,500 of the delicious iconic treats were sold on People’s Day alone.
Over 2000 volunteers helped us serve the iconic treat to showgoers in 2023.
We are so grateful to all of our incredible fundraising champions whose efforts have incredible impacts for patients.
Thank you for your support in 2023
We are so appreciative of the support we’ve received from our extraordinary community in 2023, and we cannot wait to see what can be achieved when we come together for the common good in 2024.
Would you like to stay up-to-date with our research, impacts and fundraising in 2024? If so, sign up below!
"*" indicates required fields
