We educate key audiences (including the public) on lung transplantation, and the need to invest and innovate to improve pre, during and post lung transplant care and outcomes.
Our Focus
The key groups who we seek to educate include:
- Patients and primary supporters to improve care and outcomes
- The public and community to understand and support the patient/primary supporter experience
- Government, healthcare system and philanthropic efforts on the need to continuously innovate and develop Australia’s centre of excellence.
Lung Transplantation in Australia
Lung transplants are performed as a life-saving treatment for people with end-stage lung disease. The surgery removes the diseased lungs and replaces them with healthy lungs from a deceased donor. There are only a few specialized centres around the world where lung transplants are performed.
We are proud that Australia is a world leader in optimising patient outcomes following lung transplantation.
In Australia, there are around 200 new lung transplants each year [completed in four approved centres], and several thousand lung transplant recipients who have been given a second chance for longer life expectancy and improved quality of life.
In the community there is little known about lung transplantation, and in many cases it is still seen as a ‘miracle’ operation. This is despite the hundreds of successful transplants that have occurred since the first Australian lung transplant, a heart-lung transplant performed in 1986 at St Vincent’s in Sydney.
Our Role
At Lungitude, we recognise that we can play an active role in further educating the community, and most importantly the patients and their primary supporters who are undertaking their own lung transplant journey. Providing educational resources will help them navigate through the different stages so they will benefit in achieving the best results.
We also educate key stakeholders about the triumphs and challenges being faced, showcasing the need to further invest and innovate to improve pre, during and post lung transplant care and outcomes. Many key groups, such as the government and philanthropic organisations, are unaware of the world-class research and clinical services we have in Australia or the lack of funding for such life-saving treatments and care. We believe further education can play a key role in prioritising support which will help to ensure continuous excellence for lung transplant patients and their primary supporters in Australia.
Learn more about our Advocacy and Support work we are undertaking, or explore our Patient & Primary Supporters section.
