RBWH brain cancer patient, Sheridan Donohue
The RBWH Foundation has launched its 2022 Christmas Appeal, offering a variety of e-gift solutions for those wishing to give presents with meaning this festive season.
RBWH Foundation CEO Simone Garske said the exciting new concept enabled friends and family to donate, in lieu of a gift, to life-saving research and patient care initiatives at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH).
“In return, the RBWH Foundation will send your loved one an electronic gift card, explaining how together, you are helping provide the Gift of Time to RBWH patients and our brilliant researchers this year.
“At RBWH, time is a precious commodity. Every patient wants more time with their family. Every doctor and nurse wants to be able to dedicate more time and care to those who come through the hospital’s door. And every researcher wants more time to undertake the work that can lead to medical breakthroughs.”
RBWH brain cancer patient, Sheridan Donohue, believes there is no better gift than the gift of time.
“Honestly, that’s the best gift you can give anyone – to raise money for research to extend people’s lives and cure illnesses. Money doesn’t mean anything in the long run. You need your health,” said Sheridan.
In November 2020, Sheridan collapsed while on holiday at Moreton Island. Paramedics initially thought she was dehydrated but a scan revealed the mother of two had glioblastoma, an aggressive and potentially fatal form of brain cancer.
“I told mum and dad to stop googling glioblastomas because you never see anything good there, it’s all doom and gloom.”
RBWH oncologists were able to offer Sheridan a lifeline, enrolling her in a clinical trial to test a new line of treatment.
“I was very ecstatic to be put on a trial. As well as it potentially saving my life, I want to help others in the future. If it works for me then hopefully it will work for other people,” said Sheridan.
Six months later, testing revealed Sheridan’s particular form of tumour, an astrocytoma IDH-mutant grade four, was having better outcomes and some patients were surviving for 15 years.
It’s now two years since Sheridan was first diagnosed and she is looking forward to a Christmas with less stress. She is still on the clinical trial, undergoing chemotherapy every month, but is cancer free.
“We are working to saves lives every day, whether it’s through clinical trials or in our cancer wards,” says Associate Professor Glen Kennedy, Executive Director, RBWH Cancer Care Services.
“Every donation makes a difference to the quality and quantity of potentially lifesaving cancer research projects that we can undertake.”
This Christmas, please donate to the RBWH Foundation Christmas Appeal and help give the gift of time to people so they can spend many more Christmases with their loved ones.