We Need Your Help...

Your generous donation will go directly towards helping us make further advancements to our Robotics Program to save even more lives this coming year.

This festive season, you can give the greatest gift of all...the gift of life!

Imagine hearing the words, "We need to bring you to the Operating Room immediately."

At that moment, you may think, “this can’t be good.”

Let me share Mary Ann’s story with you…

Mary Ann recently underwent ground-breaking robotic thoracic surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) by cardiothoracic surgeon, Associate Professor Christopher Cao, as a result of a concerning lesion on her left lung. Robotic lung surgery is the most advanced form of minimally invasive surgery, allowing 3D vision through videoscopes that offer 10x magnification. With a wide range of sophisticated micro-instruments that fit through 8mm ports, the robot facilitates delicate manoeuvres controlled by the surgeon.

Because of people like you who support us, Mary Ann had a second chance at life.

Advancements supported by our donors have made it possible to identify new, less invasive surgery techniques leading to fewer complications, less pain, reduced bleeding, and a shorter length of hospitalization.

More of Mary Ann’s story in her own words is adjacent…..

The most important thing is because supporters like you care, Mary Ann’s situation turned out better than “good.” She was given a whole new chance at life – the greatest gift of all.

More than 8,000 people die of lung cancer each year in Australia—21 people every day!

Following the vision of Professor Douglas Baird, The Baird Institute identifies problems at the bedside, investigates them in the laboratory, and applies the solutions to future patients. We advocate life-long learning and the highest standards in evidence-based care.

While you may not have benefited directly from some of our medical research, I can assure you; you may know someone who has, or maybe, you will need us in the future.

This is why we need your urgent help today…

In 2022, we have big goals to advance our robotic program and help more Australians, like Mary Ann, with this modern, innovative surgical approach.

The next step for us is to invest in film recording and editing equipment. This equipment will help the team review and analyse challenging robotic surgery and educate and share our surgical experience and knowledge with other physicians, both in Australia and worldwide. To procure this equipment, we need to raise $50,000.

Won’t you help your fellow Australians and give them the greatest gift of all this festive season? 

One person in Australia dies from lung cancer every hour. The next life may be someone you know, or even yourself.

Your generous Christmas gift of $50, $200, or $500 before December 31, 2021 will go directly towards helping us make further advancements to our Robotics Program to save even more lives this coming year.

We depend upon you. Can we count on you this festive season? We would like to be able to give people like Mary Ann a second chance to live a full and healthy life. Few gifts are more precious than that!

With thanks and gratitude.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Bannon

Professor Paul Bannon PhD MB BS FRACS

Chair, The Baird Institute
Head, Cardiothoracic Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Every heartbeat matters, every breath’s important, every dollar helps...

Mary Ann's Story

"I write this little story to let you know how wonderful it is to be given back your life, to see your grandchildren grow, to enjoy family and friends – and all that life has to offer."

“I am so grateful to The Baird Institute for their constant research and their development of ground-breaking technology in all forms of surgery, but for me particularly, in Robotic Lung Surgery.”

– Mary Ann

In April 2021, I began feeling a lot of pain in my back.  I suspected that I may have pneumonia, so I went to my local GP and requested an X-Ray.  Nothing showed up on the X-Ray, but I knew within myself that something was not right, so I asked for a CT scan.  The CT scan showed a small mass and lesions in the left upper lobe of my lung. 

I received a referral to a specialist and the following week presented at Concord Hospital Respiratory Department for my first appointment.  I will never forget the memories that came flashing back as it was just over 3 years earlier, that my husband had been diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Stem Cell Cancer and passed away 12 weeks later.

I was frightened to say the least!

Professor Lucy Morgan determined from the CT results, that it would be best to wait 6 weeks and have a second CT scan and re-evaluate and assess any changes before calling for a biopsy or planning the pathway forward.  She assured me she would be truthful and would be with me all the way.  I felt blessed to have Professor Morgan as my respiratory physician as she gave me the peace and confidence to place myself in her hands.  She was such a gentle, kind, caring Doctor.

After 6 weeks, the CT scan showed the tumour had grown and after having a biopsy and more scans, Professor Morgan consulted with Professor Cao, a leading surgeon at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in the field of lung disease.

Professor Cao and I had a telephone consultation due to COVID.  He explained carefully the procedure of Robotic Surgery.  It was very foreign and quite difficult for me to understand, although the kindness and patience of Professor Cao helped me through it.  I felt very thankful.

Professor Cao did not let the grass grow under his feet. 

One week later I was in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for Robotic Surgery to remove half of my lung. 

When Professor Cao came to see me after the surgery, his broad smiling face gave me the news, even before the words came out of his mouth.  His skill and the wonderful support team provided me with the best news ever.  All successful, no cancer in the lymph nodes and no need for any additional treatment.  The best possible outcome you could wish for.

Sometimes words are just not enough to express the thankfulness and gratitude I feel to Professor Cao and his team.  The nurses, associates and staff at Concord and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals are angels.  Everyone who supports The Baird Institute has helped me and countless others too.

I write this little story to let you know how wonderful it is to be given back your life, to see my grandchildren grow, to enjoy family and friends – and all that life has to offer.  I am so grateful to the Baird Institute for their constant research and their development of ground-breaking technology in all forms of surgery, but for me particularly, in Robotic Lung Surgery. 

We indeed live in a lucky country.  We are blessed!

Mary Ann

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Challenge Yourself

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