Cheese and Chats: Revolutionising heart transplantation

Heart transplant is the only effective treatment for end-stage heart failure. But given the shortage of donor organs, how do we ensure every heart is given the best chance to give new life to a recipient?

Revolutionising heart transplantation: The Surgeon, The Patient, The Storyteller will share the stories of three people close to the transplantation process:

The Surgeon

Professor David McGiffin is Head of Cardiothoracic Transplantation Research at the Critical Care Research Group at UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and was formerly Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Transplantation at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Professor McGiffin led the Living Heart Project, which developed a device to allow donor hearts to rest and rejuvenate before transplantation, essentially kept 'alive' with a medical 'Gatorade' rich in oxygen and nutrients. He was instrumental in the clinical study which has revolutionised how donor hearts are preserved by the use of HOPE - hypothermic oxygenated perfusion - a process that provides effective preservation of donor hearts for nearly 9 hours, allowing donated organs to remain ‘ex vivo’ outside the body for longer.

The Patient

Kate Phillips has experienced heart transplant in the most personal way. She was born with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension and underwent open heart surgery at just 10 months of age - operated on by Professor McGiffin. At 27, she became gravely ill and needed a heart and double-lung transplant. Now fighting fit, Kate enjoys participating in endurance events, and is a fierce advocate for what is possible post transplant.

The Storyteller

Lauren Kelly sees the work of CCRG up close every day. Through her role as Senior Media and Communications Officer, she helps researchers share and promote their life-saving work, including the promotion of the Living Heart Project to a nationwide audience that has reached over one million people.

Moderator

The discussion will be moderated by Wendy Mansell, IMB's Head of Advancement and Engagement. In addition to her professional interest in supporting world-leading heart research, Wendy has a personal mission to see heart treatments improve. 

Generations of her family on both sides have been directly impacted by heart disease, including her daughter who was born with a complex congenital heart defect, in addition to multiple family members suffering heart attacks including her mother, father-in-law, late brother-in-law, and, in the past few weeks, her husband.

Event details

Date: Tuesday 23 July

Time: 5pm for 5:30–7pm AEST

Location: The Atrium, 308 Queen Street, Brisbane

Cost: $35 per person. Tickets include one cheese box with tasting notes and one standard drink. Cash bar available.

Everyone welcome.

Limited tickets available. Register now and join us for this conversation.

Getting here

Pre-paid parking is available through Queens Plaza.

There are no bicycle or storage facilities available. For bike parking locations in Brisbane city, visit the Brisbane City Council website.

Plan your visit with Translink's journey planner.