PA Research Foundation

31/03/2026

Thanks to donors and supporters like you, the PA Cancer Wellness Initiative website is a lifeboat of answers in a sea of uncertainty. Because you choose to give, no matter where a patient is on their treatment journey there are a wealth of resources at their disposal.

More here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/prioritising-patient-wellness-because-of-you

25/03/2026

Professor Fiona Simpson and her team of researchers are uncovering new insights in cancer cell biology and the immune system. All thanks to people like you who choose the Foundation as your place to give.

Their promising work understanding cell functions may lead to a more tangible results, ultimately allowing scientists to control and guide cell responses, offering much hope to people with breast cancer, head and neck cancer, skin cancer and more.

“When I first started testing some of my ideas, I couldn’t get any funding at all. The PA Research Foundation helped us keep doing science and supported our first clinical trial.”

It’s thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters like you that we can continue to fund important research like that undertaken by Professor Fiona Simpson and the Simpson Lab.

Find out more about their work and why Fiona is a beloved friend of the foundation here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/fiona-simpson-friend-of-the-foundation

Leave a comment on the story or below to thank Fiona and her team and we'll be sure to pass it on.

22/03/2026

Professor H. Peter Soyer’s vital research is delivering earlier melanoma detection for Australians.

Melanoma is the third most common cancer in Australia, and if caught early, 90% of melanomas can be cured by surgery.

Friend of the Foundation Professor H. Peter Soyer and his team's advances in skin imaging technology can help doctors identify suspicious changes earlier and reduce unnecessary procedures.

It’s thanks to donors like you that we can fund innovative research like this and improve patient care.

Discover the full story of Prof's connection to the Foundation and supporters like you here https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/professor-peter-soyer-friend-of-the-foundation and comment on the story or on here your own experience or that of a loved one with melanoma.

17/03/2026

There is fresh hope for those diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Myasthenia Gravis thanks to our fabulous donors and supporters.
Because of those who choose to give PA Hospital clinician Dr Laurie McLaughlin has begun research on the effectiveness of the drug, Rituximab for the treatment of the condition.

More on her research project made possible by your generosity here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/a-mission-to-help-those-with-myasthenia-gravis

15/03/2026

We know how important it is to keep in contact with loved ones and be able to access our emails and use our phones to pass the time while attending the hospital for appointments. That's why, thanks to kind donations from people like you, we are building phone charging stations and rolling them out across the PA to keep you and your loved ones connected.

12/03/2026

You can support these three legends in their efforts by making the Foundation your place to give here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/fundraisers/kimnorthey

Nurses in PA Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit are preparing to swap their scrubs for swimmers and spandex suits as they tackle the Bribie Triathlon, all to raise funds for the PA Research Foundation. 🚴‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏃‍♀️

The incredible staff, who are no strangers to working under pressure, will be putting their skills to the test in open water before cycling and running their way to the finish line in teams.

Regardless of the outcome, the motive behind the mission is certainly worthy of celebration.

Every kilometre they swim, ride and run will be dedicated to patients and families facing challenges far tougher than a triathlon.

Funds raids will support initiatives that enhance comfort, dignity, and connection.

Shout-out to all the ICU staff who are proving their endurance and compassion doesn’t stop at the end of a shift. Good luck teams! 💪

10/03/2026

Mum of two Katie will be forever grateful to the PA and clinician Dr Robert Bird for the opportunity to be placed on a clinical trial the result of which have been life changing in her journey with a rare disease called systemic mastocytosis.

More on Katie's incredible story of resilience and her gratitude to the PA and for medical research here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/highest-of-praise-for-the-pa

You can support more people like Katie to benefit from medical research and clinical trials by making the Foundation your place to give via our website www.pafoundation.org.au

09/03/2026

Led by professor David Johnson, whose research and work you've directly supported with your donations, the Queensland Kidney Transplant Service notched up quite the milestone recently. The team recently performed their 1000th live donor kidney transplant operation!

More here: https://www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/pa--s-1000th-kidney-transplant-operation

Story courtesy of Metro South Health.

You can support the PA to change more lives for the better through kidney and liver transplant operations by making the Foundation your place to give via our website www.pafoundation.org.au

08/03/2026

For many people across Queensland the staff at the PA really are lifesavers. That's why when we see or receive messages of gratitude for exceptional care we love to share them with you our fabulous supporters.
Messages like this one recently shared by Ian Mason who was cared for on New Year's Day.
A simple way for you to show your appreciation for all the hard work and lives saved by the staff of the PA is by making a tax deductible donation via our website.
www.pafoundation.org.au

06/03/2026

Dr Melissa Day (picture below left) recently attended the AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Disease) in Washington DC, bringing back world class, current knowledge to share with her Australian colleagues.

Among other areas, Dr Day learnt about emerging pharmaceutical treatments for liver fibrosis which are not readily available in Australia, examined liver disease from child to adulthood and was exposed to not yet published cutting edge research.

She heard from international experts in palliative care hepatology, providing invaluable insight into her key area of interest. Dr Day also had the opportunity to meet with Dr Caroline Tallis, who has been a mentor for her throughout her career in transplant hepatology medicine.

This learning opportunity was made possible by the generosity of the Forgan-Smith family who dedicated a bursary through the Foundation in loving memory of their daughter Kate.

Kate was a Clinical Liver Fellow at the PA and worked as gastroenterologist before sadly passing away from bowel cancer at the age of 38.

Kate Forgan-Smith’s legacy is carried on by the work of clinicians like Melissa Day, who go above and beyond to meet patient needs and approach patients with kindness and empathy.

04/03/2026

Without generous donors and people like you, we can't have the impact we're able to have on the health outcomes of Queenslanders.
Thanks to kind and generous people who choose the Foundation as their place to give 2025 was a momentous years for the funding of research, cutting edge equipment, patient support projects and staff education opportunities.
For a great snapshot of how donations power improved healthcare outcomes across Queensland, you can read our 2025 Impact Report available on the Who We Are page on our website (link below).
Or if you'd like a physical copy to read give us a call on 07 3180 1840.

www.pafoundation.org.au/who-we-are

01/03/2026

Thanks to people like you, who have kindly donated to us, research is underway into whether advances in MRI technology can be effective as a new assessment tool for assessing kidney disease in diabetic kidney disease patients.

More on how donors like you have empowered Dr Tyrone Humphries to explore ways to help clinicians help their patients here: www.pafoundation.org.au/blog/kidney-research-to-help-patients