A $100,000 donation from Cairns businesswoman Toni Bresnahan and family was among the generous contributions that helped the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation raise $1.1 million at its donor dinner and reach its $800,000 fundraising goal for ECMO.
The donation reflected Ms Bresnahan’s deep family connection to Cairns and her belief that businesses which grow and succeed in the region have an opportunity to give back to the community that supports them.
ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is highly specialised life-support technology used for critically ill patients whose heart or lungs need significant support. It temporarily takes over some of the work of the heart and lungs, allowing clinicians to support patients during critical illness.
For Ms Bresnahan, contributing to the ECMO campaign was about supporting a critical local service and investing in the future of the community her family has long called home.
Her family has deep roots in Cairns, including through her parents’ business in the city, and that history has shaped an ethos of supporting the community.
“The hospital touches all of us at some point, whether it’s our own family, our staff, our customers or someone we know,” Ms Bresnahan said.
“My family has a long history in Cairns and we’ve always believed that if the community supports you, there should be that same commitment to supporting the community in return.
“One of the things I really love about supporting the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation is knowing the money donated here stays local and supports our community.”
With business interests spanning property development and tourism, Ms Bresnahan also sees strong health services as an important part of Cairns’ continued growth and appeal.
She said Cairns Hospital played a vital role not only in caring for the community, but in supporting the broader social fabric of the city.
“We want Cairns to be somewhere people want to live, work, invest and visit, and having strong local health services is an important part of that,” she said.
“I’m excited about the development of the hospital and what that means for the future of Cairns.”
Ms Bresnahan said she hoped her contribution also could serve as a stepping stone, encouraging other businesses and local organisations to consider how they could support the hospital community.
“The hospital and the Foundation do so much for our region, and I hope businesses and organisations that benefit from being part of Cairns will look at how they can give some of that support back,” she said.
“It’s about everyone playing a part in making Cairns an even stronger community and an attractive place for people to visit, live and invest.”
Foundation CEO Gina Hogan thanked Toni Bresnahan and her family for their generous $100,000 donation.
“We are so grateful to Toni and her family for their generosity and commitment to improving healthcare in Far North Queensland,” Mrs Hogan said.
“Their contribution helped us reach our $800,000 fundraising goal for ECMO, which will make a real difference to critically ill patients and their families.
“Toni’s generosity shows what can be achieved when local businesses invest in their community, and we hope it encourages others to consider how they too can help strengthen healthcare across our region.”
Photo: Foundation CEO Gina Hogan meets with Toni Bresnahan.
