A pedal for purpose: Toby's ride for transplant research

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Toby Innes has been a board member of The Common Good for 13 years, and in that time, he’s seen first-hand incredible advancements in medical research that are truly changing lives, thanks to the generosity of the public and the dedication of medical professionals.

“I think more than ever, in the last 12-18 months we’ve seen leaps forward in the outcomes of translational research. Earlier this year, two newly designed ICU bed spaces in The Prince Charles Hospital started accepting patients. We also saw a heart travel a record-breaking distance across Australia, thanks to a project that’s saving 36 lives and counting.” Toby said.

“These are real-life outcomes impacting people in a really positive way, both of which were made possible through the work of The Common Good.”

Day-to-day, Toby works in a very different environment as the Head of Retail and E-commerce at Brisbane Airport Corporation. He volunteers his time and commercial expertise as a board member of The Common Good and says the innovation and incredible breakthroughs he’s witnessed in the last 10-plus years blow him away.

“How hard the researchers, doctors and allied health staff work, I think that’s significantly underappreciated. The amount of effort they put into research as a calling is inspiring,” said Toby.

This April, Toby will be championing the importance of medical research again, donning his lycra and riding in the Australian Unity Tour de Brisbane. Toby is a keen cyclist and given his relationship with Brisbane Airport, he is looking forward to taking on the United Airlines Runway Sprint - a new component of this year’s course that will see riders undertaking a sprint competition on Southern Cross Way. More importantly, however, he is also riding to raise funds for transplant research through The Common Good, the medical research charity he is proud to be part of. 

“Keeping that pipeline of opportunity going is something I consider important. If we don’t do it, how do some of these things come to fruition?” he said.

“We want to ensure that the research we support can continue so those great breakthroughs can continue.”

And Toby says, in terms of fundraising, it doesn’t take much to make an impact.

“Set yourself a goal not just to finish the race but to raise some money.... even if it’s $20, a little bit goes a long way, it’s that compounding effect of everyone doing a little bit,” Toby said.

You can support Toby on his Australian Unity Tour de Brisbane here.

Published: 2 March, 2023

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