Josie suffered a near-fatal episode of hydrocephalus.
Professional cricketer and RBWH-STARS stroke patient Josie Doole has joined forces with the RBWH Foundation to call on Queenslanders to give the gift of medical research and patient care innovation to patients like her this Christmas.
RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske applauded Josie for sharing the story of her life-threatening medical emergency earlier this year in a bid to improve outcomes for patients across Queensland and beyond.
“Josie continues to undergo lengthy rehabilitation with the same dignity and determination which has made her one of the best cricketers in Australia,” said Simone.
“Despite her own health challenges, Josie wants to give back to RBWH and STARS, the hospitals which have given her world-class care.”
In April this year, Josie – the daughter of former professional cricketer and Queensland Cricket Board Member Jon Dooley – was holidaying with her partner, Michael, on a remote Hawaiian island. The night she arrived, Josie suffered a near-fatal episode of hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder caused by an abnormal buildup of spinal fluid, deep within the brain.
“My head was killing me, and I’d lost my vision,” said Josie.
“I was in a lot of pain, but I thought it was a migraine – I had no idea how sick I was and that I would end up having a stroke.”
Josie’s condition deteriorated, triggering a major stroke and cardiomyopathy.
Read more about how Josie was finally medically evacuated to RBWH, 28 days later.
If you can, please donate today at https://www.rbwhfoundation.com.au/donate.