THE roads around Cairns and the outback will roar to the sound of motorcycles and their riders fundraising for delicate EEG equipment in the Far North.
This year’s Wayne Leonard’s Motorcycle Muster is heading west to Undara Lava Tubes, and fundraising for vital EEG equipment to record electrical activity of the brain.
Hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, the Muster is now in its 17th year, and has raised a total of more than $893,000 in that time.
Sponsor Wayne Leonard was excited to try out the current EEG equipment being used by the small but hard-working neurology team at Cairns Hospital. Mr Leonard laughed that he had never experienced an EEG before, but he was relieved to see that all his brain activity was normal.
Cairns Hospital neurologist Dr Ian Wilson said the latest EEG imaging equipment would provide substantially improved high resolution cameras and screens, and the latest recording technology available.
“The equipment that we have is used to monitor people with epilepsy and other brain conditions in our clinics, but also in Emergency and ICU to assess brain activity in unconscious patients, including after traumatic brain injury,” Dr Wilson said. Patients having recurrent, unexplained events may undergo day-long EEG testing to ‘catch’ the event and determine what activity happens in the brain, while others simply have a “snapshot” taken of brain activity, he said.
Heart-breakingly, babies and small children are among their patients – some of whom have genetically acquired conditions that impact on the brain’s development and cause severe seizures. Diagnosing and treating the seizures early is important to prevent further brain injury and give the child the best chance of recovery. The equipment also will be a vital tool in future research projects.
Foundation CEO Tony Franz said it was hoped to buy two EEG’s at a total cost of $70,000. “This year the Muster is heading out to Undara on the weekend of October 20-21, and there is a lot of excitement among the riders about this trip,” Mr Franz said.
Himself a participant, Mr Franz said the ride had not been to Undara for several years, and it was sure to be a fun and enjoyable weekend. “The people who take part in this event do so for the right reasons – because they are passionate about supporting health services in this region,” Mr Franz said.
Registrations are open HERE.
Photo: Cairns Hospital senior neurophysiology scientist Linda Welch, Wayne Leonard and neurologist Dr Ian Wilson are excited to be working together to raise funds for the neurology unit.
