Joint Meeting with Adelaide Parks

A joint meeting was held in the Long Tan room at the Naval, Military and Airforce Club. 14 Adelaide Parks members were present together with 16 members of the Rotary Club of Hyde Park.
 
Adelaide Parks Vice President Natasha welcomed all and Hyde Park President Gerry Greenway reminded his members that the next month would be very busy due to several fundraising barbecues and social obligations. 
 
After the meal Chairman David Wells introduced his brother Tim to tell the story of his son Brendan and his life in the Blue Box.  Brendan was born with a genetic abnormality of his liver which made the organ unable to breakdown bilirubin.  This resulted with Brendan having severe jaundice which if untreated would lead to brain damage and early death.  The only treatment initially was to expose Brendan’s skin to a high degree of ultra-violet light.  A special “box” was constructed for him to spend a considerable length of time in the U/V light filled apparatus.
 
Eventually at about age ten Brendan was taken to the Austin Hospital in Victoria and, together with staff from both the Austin and Royal Children’s Hospitals he received a successful liver transplant. Now in his teens, Brendan explained his pleasure at the outcome.
 
Hyde Park Club thank Adelaide Parks for sharing the experience of listening to Brendan’s father and Brendan himself and meeting his mother.  It was a great evening that inspired us to look forward to hearing more from a speaker from The Royal Flying Doctor to follow up on the type of assistance that they are able to provide, along with donor contribution transfer and assistance right across Australia.

Thanks to Sergeant George Sinclair from Adelaide  Parks Club for his report (edited by Sandy Matz).