Southport Sharks has always believed in the power of community, but today we saw just how far that power extends. We were honoured to attend the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation’s partner event this morning, where we learned how donations from our community are shaping the future of healthcare on the Gold Coast.
At Southport Sharks, we are incredibly proud to have been a charity partner of the GCHF since 2010—that’s nearly 15 years of our members and staff contributing to an incredible cause. We’ve been fortunate enough to contribute through initiatives such as funding the purchase of blood warmer machines for the Emergency Department.
The GCHF has an immense impact, supporting 150,000+ patients, families, and healthcare staff each year. The impact they have on the hospital can be seen in how they have been able to provide patient transport services, essential medical equipment, education for healthcare workers, and emergency accommodation for families in need.
Today we had the privilege of hearing from an outstanding panel of healthcare professionals, who each provided a unique insight into how GCHF’s funding directly enhances their work and improves patient care:
➡️ Dr James Winearls, ICU Specialist & Clinical Lead, discussed the importance of advanced ECMO training, ensuring intensive care teams are equipped with life-saving expertise.
➡️ Dr Saman Heshmat, Medical Director of Neurology Services, highlighted the game-changing role of incisionless neurosurgery in treating motor disorders.
➡️ Lucie Scott, Children’s Emergency Clinical Nurse Consultant, shared how having resuscitation equipment within the paediatric emergency unit—rather than retrieving it from adult wards—has significantly reduced response times and saved little lives.
We were also treated to a live simulation of the ECMO training and equipment, funded by GCHF, experiencing just how in-depth and precise the education needs to be for such an intricate life saving measure.
It is always inspiring to see first-hand how deeply invested the GCHF is in supporting our healthcare community. Their work extends far beyond financial support—they walk the hospital floors getting to know patients, engaging and listening to clinicians, and ensuring funding is directed where it will have the greatest impact.
We feel incredibly fortunate to contribute to such an extraordinary organisation and to be included in opportunities like today. If you’re looking for a way to support life-changing healthcare initiatives, we encourage you to learn more about the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation. Every donation—big or small—helps change lives.