Generous ICU support

24 Feb 2021

GENEROUS philanthropist Sam Catalano simply wants to give back to the country that has given his family so much.
The lifelong Innisfail resident supported the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation’s COVID-19 campaign with a $55,000 donation, for that very reason.
He heard about the campaign through a Foundation Board member and decided it was something he wanted to support through the Catalano Family Foundation.  “I founded this foundation to give back to the community,” Mr Catalano said.
His donation has bought a Pentax bronchoscope for the Intensive Care Unit at Cairns Hospital.
Mr Catalano’s family background in Far North Queensland dates back to 1924 when his father immigrated from Italy, starting life as a farm labourer cutting cane.
Over time Mr Catalano Senior married, had a family and started making investments to provide for his family. Sam Catalano Jnr left school at age 13, starting work on the family farm and grazing small crops. He later found his own success through, cane, cattle, timber, property investments, quarry operations including the production and distribution of Min Plus, his pet project.
Mr Catalano has offered to support many people in the community including family members, lessees, business partners and colleagues.
“My father also told me that you’ve got to mix with all sorts of different people – country people and city people, so that’s also what I’ve done,” he said.
Mr Catalano has suffered many family losses including his wife to early onset dementia, and his daughter to cancer.
“Losing a loved one puts things into perspective,” he said.
“I just wanted to give back to the country that my father adopted, the country that’s made me who I am.  
“I have been successful in business and it has been no easy ride and not without its heartaches, but knowing I can help and make a difference in someone’s life is extremely humbling.”
Cairns Hospital Director of Intensive Care Dr Drew Wenck said the new Pentax bronchoscope featured the latest technology and digital imaging.
“This device is central to the work we perform in the Intensive Care Unit such as percutaneous tracheostomies and other procedures when patients are critically ill,” Dr Wenck said.
“We are always extremely grateful to the Hospital Foundation for equipment they provide with their donors that enhances patient care.”
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation CEO Tony Williamson said it was wonderful to see local families give back to helping make local hospitals better.
“The Catalano family should be thanked by everyone in Far North Queensland because patient outcomes will be better as a direct result of their donation,” Mr Williamson said.

Photo: Sam Catalano, Leanne Sultana, Foundation CEO Tony Williamson and Cairns Hospital ICU Clinical Director Dr Drew Wenck.

 

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