Tony Hyams AM was born in Melbourne and was educated at Melbourne Grammar School and Melbourne University. He graduated in 1969 from with degrees in Law and Commerce.   After a short stint in the legal profession Tony turned to international banking and finance becoming head of Credit Suisse in Australia for most of his career. He was introduced by David Pisterman, who happens to be his brother-in-law.

 

In recent years he has been a professional director of many companies including the Melbourne Airport, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, New Zealand’s largest printing company, the Military Superannuation Fund and as Chairman of the Commonwealth Government’s now $40 billion employee superannuation fund. He was involved with the World Economic Forum as a member of the Long-Term Investment Council and of the Role of Business Council and at annual meetings in Davos.

 

All of these activities stopped abruptly when in 2009 he was diagnosed with a rare incurable lung disease.  In his terms “a science fiction health adventure”.

Tony described that although most of us never think about our lungs, one in four will be affected by pulmonary disease in one form or another. He described how he noticed shortness of breath, a dry cough and weight loss, but no explanation could be found. As his symptoms got worse, investigation and biopsy revealed he had Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. This disease, of no known cause, affects 5 million people world-wide, is progressive and as there is no cure, is usually fatal within four years.

Tony sought advice and treatment overseas, but eventually fornd the Alfred Hospital to be a leading centre for its treatment. He suffered steady deterioration, finding difficulty crossing a road, and requiring oxygen support. His prognosis was so grim, he even had a family farewell party in Fiji.

 

However he was eventually listed for double lung transplant, and finally had this operation when a suitable donor was found. The rehabilitation was extremely hard and demanding, with immune-suppressive drugs necessary and the possibility of rejection always present.

 

Tony’s hero is his wife Anne: he described her psychological nightmare of living with a dying husband, and how her strength and compassion helped him to survive.

He described how research for pulmonary disease receives little funding, and sufferers often feel stigmatised or suffer guilt. One third of Australians blame the afflicted, and 90% wrongfully believe it is caused by smoking.

 

Tony’s story was well-described in the Australian Financial review: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/health-and-wellness/senior-investment-banker-tony-hyams-rises-from-the-dead-with-double-lung-transplant-20160929-grr7ee

 

Tony now spends time with pulmonary disease sufferers, answering their questions and helping to allay their fears.

 

He closed with a summary of his thoughts:

Since 2009 organ donors have increased by 106%, and recipients by 75% but there are still 1400 patients on waiting lists for donors.