Community Fundraising

A big thank you to Natalie for her tireless fundraising

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An amazing $9000 was raised at the James Wadland Night of Hearts!

The latest James Wadland Night of Hearts (JWNOH) event, was held on April 2, 2018.  This celebration, held annually on James’ birthday, was bigger than usual, due to the fact that this year, James would have celebrated his 40th birthday.

James’ wife Natalie, put on an amazing Arabian Nights’ themed event in her lovely home. While the event keeps James’ memory alive, it also raises money for The Baird Institute’s continuing important research.  There was a beautiful spread of Lebanese food and throughout the night belly dancers and drummers entertained us all.

Dr Michael Seco updated those present on research at The Institute particularly in the area of  Aortic Aneurysms, a condition that can take loved ones from us out of the blue.  Michael explained how some researchers with The Baird Institute are looking into the gene responsible for building our blood vessels, because understanding how genes influence aortic aneurysm development, will help identify a cure for this devastating blood vessel anomaly.

A big thank you to Natalie for her tireless fundraising for The Baird Institute.

An extraordinary $9000 was raised at the JWNOH event this year.  We are ever so grateful not only for Natalie’s efforts but also for the all the attendees on the night who have contributed so much to life-saving heart research.   We thank you all for your generosity.

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Dick Shaw’s fundraiser a great success

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Dick Shaw’s Mollymook Fundraiser was a great success, raising the amazing sum of $14,000.

A wonderful night was had by all at Dick Shaw’s fundraiser for the Baird Institute down at Mollymook on the South Coast on February 24.  120 people attended, with the majority coming from the Shoalhaven area but also, a number of people made the journey down from Sydney.

Dick had organised a wonderful array of prizes for both the silent auction and the raffle, including a signed All Blacks rugby jersey, a week for two on a barge on the canals in the South of France, several paintings and a bottle of Grange Hermitage.  The Mayor of Shoalhaven, Amanda Findlay,  opened the evening with a welcome to country, while Dick spoke of his desire to give back, following his life saving heart surgery performed by the Chair of our Institute, Professor Paul Bannon.  Paul also talked to the group,  providing updates on current research at The Baird Institute.

Then it was time for the Dave Price Rock and Roll band to play – everyone got up on the dance floor and showed their moves. All in all, the night was a great success with the amazing sum of $14,000 being raised. Thank you Dick – what a fantastic effort!

Thank you to Dick for his wonderful effort to help The Baird Institute continue their life saving work.
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A big thank you once again to Carol and Gale Radford

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Carol & Gale Radford Managed to raise close to $1000 from sales at their annual Christmas stall.

Carol Radford has been busy all year making gifts for her annual Christmas stall.  This year she held two stalls; one in Terrigal and one in Bateau Bay on the Central Coast, NSW.  At the stalls, Carol and her husband Gale had all sorts of items up for sale – assorted Christmas decorations, door stops, hand knitted dolls, butterfly wands, drink coasters, money socks, to mention just a few.  They managed to raise close to $1000 from sales – what a great effort.  A big thanks to both Gale and Carol.

In 2009, Carol Radford underwent a successful operation at Strathfield Private Hospital to repair a mitral valve. Her surgeon was Professor Michael Wilson from the Baird Institute.  From the time of her operation, Carol decided she wanted to ‘give back’ to The Baird Institute to help fund  further cardiothoracic research.

Since then, she has been making gifts to sell at a variety of pop-up stores held at community fairs all over Sydney, and now also on the Central Coast.

Over the past 8 years, Carol (ably assisted by her husband Gale) has raised close to $9000. 

Carol works for months prior to the various events, ensuring that her stall is well stocked on the day.  She makes a variety of items that clearly appeal to the community, but particularly loves making Christmas gifts. Gale is Carol’s “fetcher and carrier” and so pivotal in enabling Carol to continue operating her wonderful stalls.

Thank you to both Carol and Gale for all they do to help The Baird Institute continue their life saving work.

Creative Generosity

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Carol & Gale Radford find a creative way to ‘give back’ to The Baird Institute.

In 2009, Carol Radford underwent a successful operation at Strathfield Private Hospital to repair a mitral valve. Her surgeon was Professor Michael Wilson from the Baird Institute.

From the time of her operation, Carol decided she wanted to ‘give back’ to The Baird Institute to help fund  further cardiothoracic research.

Since then, she has been making gifts to sell at a variety of pop-up stores held at community fairs all over Sydney, including the annual Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Christmas Stall each November.

Over the past 7 years, Carol (ably assisted by her husband Gale) has raised close to $8000. 

Carol works for months prior to the various events, ensuring that her stall is well stocked on the day.  She makes a variety of items that clearly appeal to the community, but particularly loves making Christmas gifts. Gale is Carol’s “fetcher and carrier” and so pivotal in enabling Carol to continue operating her wonderful stalls.

Pictured: Carol & Gale at the Burwood Fair

Thank you to both Carol and Gale for all they do to help The Baird Institute continue our life saving work.

Fantastic achievement from the legacy of a “Gentle Giant”

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On Sunday night, 2 April 2017, the 4th Annual James Wadland Night of Hearts was held to honour the memory of the late James William Howard Wadland.

James passed away suddenly on 13th August, 2013 of an Aortic Aneurysm. His wife Natalie, has held an event each year on James’ birthday raising in excess of $92,000 for The Baird Institute – a fantastic achievement!  James was a larger than life ‘Gentle Giant’ loved by all, a phenomenal man who achieved great success with anything he put his mind to.

The annual James Wadland Night of Hearts, aims to raise awareness of heart related diseases. Professor Paul Bannon,  Chairman of The Baird Institute, attended the Night of Hearts and spoke of the work that the Institute is doing to improve the lives of patients facing heart surgery, with particular reference to the research being done in the field of aortic diseases.  These improvements include less intrusive procedures, as well as techniques that improve the survival rate of patients having surgery.

All proceeds from this event go towards supporting The Baird Institute, the only institute in Australia, dedicated to improving clinical and surgical techniques for heart and lung conditions.

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Pat Johnson shows a lot of heart … again

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On Sunday the 27th November, Pat Johnson hosted her Baird Institute Fundraising Christmas Ball at the Gulgong Bowling Club.

Pat is one of our most hardworking supporters and has worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Baird Institute.  Her goal is to raise $40,000 and she has almost reached that milestone.

Since having heart surgery 10 years ago, Pat is well and very active and has been hosting monthly old time dances  at Gulgong in order to raise funds for us. Pat has dancers that come locally from Gulgong and Mudgee and also from as far away as Dubbo, Wellington and Scone. The majority of the dancers that attend would be over the age of 70 and certainly left our recent Baird Institute attendees (Lisa Turner, Lorna Beattie, Andrea Scholes and Anita Law) looking a little unfit and slightly breathless!!  As well as being a great way to keep fit, the dancers also have a lot of fun, with varied types of old time dances including the progressive barn dance which all levels of dancers can join in (including the non-dancing youngsters from the Baird Institute!). Pat also organises raffles, lucky door prizes and a lovely afternoon tea on the day. Lisa, Lorna and the team look forward to heading back out to Gulgong to attend Pat’s fundraising balls again in 2017.

Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival 2016

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Blackmore’s Bridge Run – Part of the Sydney Running Festival 2016

Our regular readers may remember when we wrote some years ago about Steve Suttor and his amazing determination to walk the Kokoda Track in PNG for The Baird Institute. Steve achieved his goal back in June 2011 – he walked the Track and raised almost $10,000 for the Baird Institute! Not only do we appreciate Steve’s generosity and willingness to do this for us but we were also very grateful to his wife Sam, who willingly let him go, despite the fact that their second child was due to be born only a few days after his scheduled return date home!

Recently, Steve achieved another inspiring personal goal – He competed in the 9 kilometre Blackmore’s Bridge Run, as part of the Sydney Running Festival 2016. He completed the run in just over 50 minutes (50.30) in the 40-49 age group! This is an amazing achievement considering that In 1989, when Steve was only 15, he was diagnosed with a spontaneous pneumothorax. The operation to deal with this condition – a pleurodesis – causes the membranes around the lung to stick together and prevents the build-up of fluid in the space between the membranes. The operation was conducted at St George Hospital. He had further surgery in 1991 at Strathfield Hospital where they inserted liquid into his lung cavity. This was intended to make the lung stick to the side, therefore preventing it from collapsing. So his lungs are now permanently stuck together at the top on both sides.   Many people have expressed their amazement at Steve’s willingness to take on such an enormous challenge as the Kokoda Trek. When we asked Steve about why he was prepared to do this, this is his response:

“I was only 15 when I got sick. I owe my life to the cardiothoracic doctors, surgeons and nurses who worked to save my life. For me, the choice to support The Baird Institute and to help them fundraise for their research work is obvious. I would never want others to experience what I experienced. I want to help others in the same situation – perhaps even through the money I raise to help save someone else’s life. I really want to give something back – to support those who helped to save my life.”

Our most sincere thanks go to Steve and to Sam for supporting us in this amazing way – for being prepared to disrupt their lives to help us raise money for our surgical research and training – you have both been amazing!
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Tony Cincotta’s Charity Variety Show – Raises Over $9,000 for The Baird Institute

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My name is Tony Cincotta. Many years ago I was diagnosed with HOCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease). This was controlled for a time with medication, however unfortunately, the time came for me to have a major heart operation. I was referred to Prof. Paul Bannon (Chairman of The Baird Institute), by my cardiologist Dr. T. Chung. When I met Paul, he explained the whole procedure to me. I knew there would be risks involved with the operation, but I also knew that I would be in good hands. Without hesitation, I told him to “book me in”.

Two months after the operation, I went to see Professor Bannon for my post-operation check-up and was told that it was a success. I will never be 100%, but I have been given a second chance at life. I was so grateful and as a result I offered to organise a variety charity concert with all funds raised going to The Baird Institute. Prof. Paul Bannon informed me that The Baird Institute does not receive any funding from the Government for their research into heart and lung diseases and this amazed me. I immediately contacted many of my friends in the entertainment business who donated their time to appear in the concert. I also approached Burwood RSL Club and they waived all the costs for the use of the room for the event. The concert was held on the 17 July, 2016. I also approached local businesses to sponsor us in some way and managed to gain some sponsorship from Club Five Dock RSL and the Canada Bay Club.

On the night, we had a successful raffle and the total money raised from the sale of tickets and the raffle was over $9,000. A cheque was handed over to the representatives of The Baird Institute for this amount.

I am so thankful to the doctors and staff of The Baird Institute for giving me this second chance at life.

Tony Cincotta

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Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Cardiothoracic Department, Level 7,
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Honour a Loved One

  • Fundraise in memory of someone special to you.

Challenge Yourself

  • Run a marathon
  • Do a long bike ride
  • Walk 10km each day for a month
  • Do 50 sit ups every day for a week
  • Join an organised event such as the City to Surf

Organise a community event

  • Have a backyard sausage sizzle
  • Host a trivia night

Seek sponsorship to help you quit those bad habits

  • Give up smoking
  • Refrain from alcohol for a month or more

Celebrate Through Giving

  • Choose to give on your birthday: Instead of giving you gifts, ask your friends and family to donate to The Baird Institute.
  • Say “I do” to improving the lives of heart and lung patients: Invite guests to donate to The Baird Institute on your wedding day
  • Turn anniversaries or personal milestones into fundraising events.

Create a CrowdRaiser on GiveNow

  1. Go to CrowdRaiser for The Baird Institute.
  2. Click on the button “Fundraise for this cause” – just under the header image.
  3. Create your Crowdraiser. Fill in the requested details.
  4. Customise your campaign. Add images and messages to make your CrowdRaiser unique.
  5. Share the link to your fundraising page via email, social media, or any way you like.
  6. Let us know via [email protected] that you have created a fundraiser so we can say thank you.

Join a community passionate about making a difference. GiveNow provides a dedicated platform for Australian charities, ensuring your efforts directly support our mission.

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  1. Go to Facebook fundraisers.
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  7. Click on ‘Create’.
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Celebrate where your friends and family connect. Leverage your social network to make a real impact.