Patrons
Flinders Foundation is fortunate to have distinguished patrons that are generous in lending their time and energy in support of the Foundation’s mission. Their dedication and passion for helping others is admirable and we are forever grateful for their contributions.
Jane Doyle, Newsreader Channel 7 Adelaide
Jane Doyle – Newsreader, Channel 7 Adelaide
Jane Doyle is proud to be our patron and has been
a passionate advocate for Flinders Foundation for many years.
“It’s a great honour to be Patron of the Flinders Foundation. To be able to play a small part in assisting the extraordinary staff who not only treat and assist patients, but also conduct cutting edge research to improve those treatments, is a rare privilege.
Over my years of involvement, I’ve developed a deep admiration for the Flinders’ teams who work so hard, often with very little public recognition, to change people’s lives for the better.
As a community, I believe it’s incumbent on all of us to do what we can to assist their mission.”
Mark Soderstrom, Mix102.3 Breakfast Host & Sports Presenter with Channel Seven Adelaide
Mark Soderstrom – Mix102.3 Breakfast Host & Sports Presenter with Channel Seven Adelaide
Soda was first introduced to Flinders Foundation as host of the cancer fundraising Pink Yellow Blue Ball some seven years ago.
However, it was an encounter with the Briggs family in 2016 which left him wanting to do even more.
“I met Kerry and her husband David at the Pink Yellow Blue Ball - Kerry had terminal cancer and they had two beautiful young kids,” Soda recalls.
“As a father of three kids myself, their story really got to me.
“Before Kerry passed away I chatted with her in the hospice - we were able to fulfil some of her wishes and it was heart warming to see Adelaide come together to help a beautiful family affected by cancer.”
Using his “voice” as co-host of Mix 102.3’s breakfast show and a sports presenter with Channel 7 Adelaide, Soda is passionate about supporting research and patient care across the Flinders medical precinct – in particular cancer.
“Being in hospital is tough and it’s often a time in people’s lives when they are at their most vulnerable, so it’s important that we try and give as much support as we can - not just for those experiencing the illness, but for their support networks too,” Soda says.
“Flinders Foundation does some amazing work across many areas, and there’s been some unbelievable advances and successes in cancer research.
“Directly or indirectly, we’ve all been affected by cancer, so to one day be able to find successful treatments for all cancer types and eradicate this disease all together would be fantastic.”
Lady Joan Hardy OAM
Lady Joan Hardy OAM – pinkyellowblueball Patron
Adelaide loves to remember Lady Hardy, as 'our' Joan McInnes - one of the state's most popular models and entertainers.
Starting her career of modelling, singing and entertaining in Adelaide in the 1960s, Joan moved on to Sydney in 1979 to further her career. After enjoying regular appearances on the Don Lane and Mike Walsh Shows and musical partnerships with well known Australian singers Joan joined NWS 9 in 1981 as entertainment producer/reporter on the Today Show until 1988 when she moved to the Ten Network to host the successful national morning program ‘Til Ten.
In December 1991, Joan married Sir James Hardy and left to pursue an even busier schedule supporting James's work and appearances nationally and overseas.
Since then she has served many local charitable and artistic associations, including taking up the mantel of Patron for the pinkyellowblueball in 2003.
We are extremely grateful to have Lady Hardy on board as our Patron and her ongoing interest in all that is happening within the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Caner.
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Detecting parasites in our supermarket meat
Flinders University researchers are focusing in on parasites often found in our supermarket meat
Detecting parasites in our supermarket meat
Flinders University researchers are focusing in on parasites often found in our supermarket meat
Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round 2019
Click to view the 31 health seed research projects we have funded thanks to your support. Learn about some of the exciting, ground-breaking projects which have been made possible thanks to your generous donations.
Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant Round 2019
Thanks to you we have funded 31 health seed research projects. Click here to learn about some of the exciting, ground-breaking projects which have been made possible thanks to your generous donations.
Health and Wellbeing for Refugees
Flinders University Professor Anna Ziersch says supportive factors, as well as resettlement challenges encountered along the way, can have a big impact on the experiences of refugees in Australia and on their health and wellbeing.
Health and Wellbeing for Refugees
What are the key factors affecting good health and wellbeing of refugees in their new life in Australia?
Relieving painful bladder syndrome
Relief could be on the way for people suffering chronic cystitis, with new research aiming for new therapies and improved diagnosis.
Relieving painful bladder syndrome
Relief could be on the way for people suffering chronic cystitis, with new research aiming for new therapies and improved diagnosis.
Peer mentoring for dietitians working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Dr Annabelle Wilson has been awarded a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to extend current work around developing a peer mentoring model to support dieticians and nutritionists working in Aboriginal health across Australia.
Peer mentoring for dietitians working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
A research project by Dr Annabelle Wilson will explore ways to better support dietitians to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples around food and nutrition
Improving the mental health of doctors working in hospitals
Professor Paul Ward will survey doctors working across different wards and areas at Flinders Medical Centre to better understand ‘psychosocial hazards’ that present risks to their mental health.
Improving the mental health of doctors working in hospitals
Giving patients at Flinders Medical Centre the best care possible has always been the top priority. But new research is now focusing on better caring for those they depend on – the doctors.
Building resilience to help combat smoking
People who live in vulnerable populations, where overall health levels are lower than the general population and have higher levels of perceived stress, often have the highest rate of smoking.
Building resilience to help combat smoking
The way people deal with stress can influence their ability to quit smoking.
Antibiotics during labour – the long-term effects
Every year, more than 2.6 million babies die in their first month of life, with bacterial infections in developing countries a leading cause
Antibiotics during labour – the long-term effects
Can administering antibiotics to all mothers during delivery reduce the prevalence of infections which cause infant mortality?
Reducing the need for colonoscopy
More than 300,000 colonoscopies are performed in Australia each year for people experiencing symptoms, and often nothing serious is found.
Reducing the need for colonoscopy
Could biomarkers in blood or stool reduce unnecessary colonoscopies?
Improving Gut Function in Hirschsprung's Disease
Hirschsprung’s Disease is a condition present at birth as a result of missing nerve cells in the muscles of a baby’s colon and causes problems with passing stool. It’s the most common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction.
Improving Gut Function in Hirschsprung's Disease
Flinders University researchers will trial a new technique involving electrical stimulation of the colon in a bid to improve gut function for people with Hirschsprung’s Disease