Griffith’s hope for health

GRIFFITH University’s non-profit HOPE4HEALTH organisation will support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) with a new initiative after last year raising more than $60,000 for a medical centre in Ghana, West Africa.

Established by Griffith medical students in 2006, HOPE4HEALTH aims to advance and promote equitable health outcomes for local, rural, indigenous and international communities.

Second year medical student and president Luke Eggleston, says it was not difficult to choose a worthwhile organisation to support for the organisation’s 2008 focus on rural health.
“The RFDS is an Australian icon and this year they celebrate 80 years of aeromedical service to communities in rural and remote Queensland — it seemed an ideal time to throw our energy and support behind them,” says Eggleston.

The major fundraising event for the year is ‘the Great Gatsby’ jazz dinner dance to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday, May 10. More than 500 guests from the local medical and business community attended last year’s event. Guest speaker is Bill ‘Swampy’ Marsh, author of Great Flying Doctor Stories.

HOPE4HEALTH is also a finalist in the Yellow Local Business Champions program. Last year the team proved themselves to be business savvy — taking out first place in the Griffith Innovation Challenge by developing a successful business plan (see page 14).