We urgently need your help to fund our world-first clinical trial.
Your Christmas gift can transform despair into hope for those on the brink…will you be that chance for those a hair’s breadth away from sudden death as a result of heart failure?
Our aim is to find new ways to enable the failing heart to generate energy, giving hope to thousands of people with heart failure.
Can we count on your support?
"They told me that I was probably days, if not hours, away from a possible cardiac arrest. And I didn’t even know it. I had a healthy lifestyle, was a lifelong pescatarian and never smoked!"
Imagine living with a heart condition you didn’t even know you had, appearing the epitome of health, yet harbouring a silent assailant, a “ticking time bomb” within, poised to strike without warning.
“I’ve always been passionate, from exploring the intricate realms of ancient history to running the Brick Classicists Empire (BCE). My days were packed with the joys of unveiling the mysteries of the past and presenting them to the world.”
That was until an unsuspected condition almost claimed my life.
Liam D. Jensen is probably someone not too different from you — a friend, a colleague, or perhaps a familiar stranger. At the age of 38, he found his life hanging by a thread, on the brink, because of a condition he wasn’t even aware of.
I am hoping that after you read Liam’s story, you can help.
Here is his firsthand experience shared with a very grateful heart.
Liam's Story
It all began with unwarranted fatigue and an inexplicable increase in my heartbeat amidst preparations for International LEGO Classicism Day.
The inconspicuous symptoms, easily mistaken for the strains of the pandemic, took a turn one fateful night.
A severe pain in my chest urged an immediate visit to my general practitioner. The change in her expression upon detecting the irregular rhythms of my heart signalled the impending crisis.
I knew then and there that something was just dreadfully wrong, but I was only 38 years old!
Professor. John O’Sullivan my cardiologist, unravelled the reason for my accelerating heartbeats. A myriad of tests ensued until a CT scan unveiled the cause—a severe blockage at the beginning of my left coronary tree – often called “the widow-maker” – that called for an immediate double bypass surgery.
They told me that I was probably days, if not hours, away from a possible cardiac arrest. And I didn’t even know it. I had a healthy lifestyle, was a lifelong pescatarian and never smoked!
Think about that for a moment: he was a hair's breadth away from sudden death!
But here’s where hope and science converge: Liam’s story didn’t end in despair. He wasn’t left on the brink with no answers. Liam’s survival is a shining example of the life-changing impact of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery. It wasn’t just a procedure; for Liam, it was a second chance at life, pulling him back from the dangers of premature coronary artery disease. Liam’s condition, compounded by inflammatory markers linked to his bowel disease, underscores the complexity of heart health.
Our goal goes beyond just treating patients like Liam who are already sick. We’re digging deeper, trying to understand the root causes of these heart issues. By doing so, we aim to not just treat but prevent these conditions, turning stories like Liam’s from tales of being on the brink to second chances.
With your donation before Sunday, 17 December, you can be a part of this historic moment in heart-failure research.
Professors Bannon, Lal, and O’Sullivan are leading the world’s first clinical trial targeting the cardiac energy system. We’re not just aiming to treat but to transform lives. But to make this a reality, we must raise $121,400 this Christmas for this research program. Every dollar will fuel our research, bringing hope to countless heart failure patients with limited options.
Join us, and let’s make medical history together, turning despair into hope and giving countless individuals a second chance at life. But every second counts, and we cannot do this research without you behind us.
With your support, we can ensure that what happened to Liam becomes an exception, not the rule. Through early intervention and research, we can pull more people like Liam back from the brink of despair.
As I recovered, each step felt like putting together a puzzle, not unlike the LEGO Colosseum I built during my recovery, with every piece representing a day of regained health and hope.
I am alive and well today because of the exceptional care I received, and the medical research made possible by the Baird Institute, which I am profoundly grateful for. Every heartbeat is a reminder of this gift.”
That is why we need your support this Christmas.
You can play a pivotal role in creating “miracles” for countless individuals on the brink. They depend on your kindness for a second chance at life, and we are relying on your support to propel the research that turns these miracles into reality.
If you have any questions or would prefer to donate over the phone, don’t hesitate to contact our CEO, Catherine Rush, directly on 02 9550 2350. She would love to hear from you.
This Christmas, transform a story of heartbreak into a tale of hope. Don’t let another life linger on the brink. Give the gift of a second chance.
With heartfelt gratitude and hope,
Professor Paul Bannon PhD MB BS FRACS
Chair, The Baird Institute
