TASMANIAN GAS BAGS Issue 4

Issue 4 Page 3

What’s the Goss?

Our sympathy goes to Marjorie for the death of her husband, John Harrison, on 11 December 2001, in Victoria. John and Marjorie were helpers with LIPS prior to leaving Tasmania a few years ago.
Farewell and many thanks to Eric Cawkwell who retired on 31.10.01, after several years as the home oxygen service agent for northern Tasmania. A true gentleman and a friend to all who he served.
Remember many hands make light work, and the hand your organisation needs could well be on the end of YOUR arm.

2001 “Give Your Lungs a Lift” Information Exchange

The annual Tasmanian LungNet “Give Your Lungs a Lift” Information Exchange was held on Saturday, 1st December 2001, from 10.30 am to 2.30 pm at Launceston General Hospital, Level 2 Lecture Theatre.

The program started with a welcome to the 70 attendees by James Markos, Chairman of the Tas Branch of the ALF. He then gave a brief talk about “How the lungs work and what can go wrong” and an overview of lung transplantation, to introduce the next session, “Life after lung transplantation”.

Invited guests Stephen Salter & Jeannette Hawker spoke about their personal experiences and captivated the audience with their stories. Their comments gave a positive glow about the benefits of lung transplantation, but they balanced this with some less favourable aspects of needing many medications and close monitoring to avoid lung rejection and infection. They reinforced the message that people who wish to be organ donors in the event of unexpected major injury should make their wishes known to their family, because it is too difficult for their family to make this decision without a clear directive. People waiting for organ transplants exceed the available donations.

Catering for lunch was provided by LGH Food Services and enjoyed by all. The lucky door prize went to David & Isobel Harris.

The session after lunch was presented by our special guest, Professor Haydn Walters. He took up his new post in 2001 as Professor of Medicine at the Medical School of the University of Tasmania, Hobart, after moving from Melbourne where he was in charge of the Respiratory Medicine Department of the Alfred Hospital (our referral centre for lung transplantation).

His topic : “Lung Health Services in Tasmania. What have we got?

Issue 4 Page 3