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.
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.
You can make a life-changing impact Donate Now
Safeguarding Australian children
A Flinders University research team made up of registered nurses with experience working with and researching children and families will take a close look at the safeguarding roles of these two professions in child-focused settings across Australia.
Safeguarding Australian children
What roles do nurses and midwives play in safeguarding children?
Predicting sepsis and preventing death in cancer patients
Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of preventable death in cancer patients. Now Professor Geraint Rogers has received a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to predict these potentially fatal infections, so doctors can intervene earlier and prevent it from occurring.
Predicting sepsis and preventing death in cancer patients
Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of preventable death in cancer patients. Now Professor Geraint Rogers has received a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to predict these potentially fatal infections, so doctors can intervene earlier and prevent it from occurring.
Examining regional health inequalities in Australia
A Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant will help Flinders University researcher Dr Joanne Flavel examine health inequalities of Australians living in rural and regional areas compared with those living in metropolitan areas.
Examining regional health inequalities in Australia
A Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant will help Flinders University researcher Dr Joanne Flavel examine health inequalities of Australians living in rural and regional areas compared with those living in metropolitan areas.
‘Bio-Chip’ device for chronic pain diagnosis
Researchers at Flinders University have been awarded a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to develop a cutting-edge ‘neuron-on-chip’ biosensor device to help diagnose what type of pain a patient may be suffering.
‘Bio-Chip’ device for chronic pain diagnosis
Researchers at Flinders University have been awarded a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to develop a cutting-edge ‘neuron-on-chip’ biosensor device to help diagnose what type of pain a patient may be suffering.
Life expectancy: Countries who ‘punch above their weight’.
Flinders University researcher Dr Toby Freeman is taking a closer look at those countries in the Western Pacific region who ‘punch above their weight’ when it comes to life expectancy, to look at what drives these good population health outcomes
Life expectancy: Countries who ‘punch above their weight’.
Flinders University researcher Dr Toby Freeman is taking a closer look at those countries in the Western Pacific region who ‘punch above their weight’ when it comes to life expectancy, to look at what drives these good population health outcomes
Pink Yellow Blue Ball 2021 – Ticket Purchase
Pink Yellow Blue Ball 2021We have exciting plans for the Pink Yellow Blue Ball to return on Saturday, 16 October…
Pink Yellow Blue Ball 2021 – Ticket Purchase
Helping GPs manage insomnia
Flinders University researchers will develop a world-first pathway to help GPs treat insomnia, in the hope of reducing reliance on sleeping pills.
Helping GPs manage insomnia
Flinders University researchers will develop a world-first pathway to help GPs treat insomnia, in the hope of reducing reliance on sleeping pills.
The impact of poor sleep in hospital
New research out of Flinders is seeking to understand the true impact of sleep disruption in hospital by focusing in on one of the noisiest places – the intensive care unit (ICU).
The impact of poor sleep in hospital
A good night’s sleep in hospital can be hard to come by.
32 new health and medical research projects… thanks to you!
In a partnership between Flinders Foundation and Flinders University, $755,000 in seed grants has been awarded to help researchers advance their knowledge of a variety of illnesses, diseases and social issues.
32 new health and medical research projects… thanks to you!
At a time when the focus on health and medical research has never been greater, 32 exciting new projects across the Flinders medical precinct have received funding in Flinders Foundation’s annual Health Seed Grant Round.
Chemical toxicity in placenta
Inspired by the concerns of SA metropolitan firefighters, Professor Claire Roberts has received a Flinders Foundation Health Seed Grant to assess the toxicity of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (also known as “PFAS”) chemicals in human placenta.
Chemical toxicity in placenta
The potential effects of firefighting chemicals on miscarriage, pregnancy complications and fertility is the focus of a new research project at Flinders University.