Lungs for the Future: Linda Harker on her husband Steve’s lung transplant story
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A FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR ADVANCING LUNG TRANSPLANT RESEARCH
After developing a rare but serious lung disease, Steve Harker, the chair of Future Now Capital’s Executive Committee and Investment Committee, was the beneficiary of a lung transplant at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney in May 2022, where he experienced life-saving treatments that were developed from ground-breaking clinical research at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.
To support high-impact lung research at St Vincent’s Hospital, the Harker Family and Future Now Capital will be holding Lungs for the Future, an event to raise awareness and sustainable funding for lung research.
Supporting Lung Transplant Research at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
With your contribution, we can pave the way for ground-breaking discoveries and transformative advancements in lung health for all.
Lung transplantation has transformed the lives of countless individuals suffering from advanced lung diseases. However, despite significant advances there are many unsolved problems with lung transplantation, including infection, rejection and the long-term use of anti-rejection drugs increasing the risk of other problems, including osteoporosis and kidney damage.
Whilst closely related, through the pulmonary system, to heart problems, the lungs have long been the “poor cousin” in terms of research funding. Research in lung transplantation is especially important and needed to increase the success and survival rates of patients.
The St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Lung Transplant Unit is well-positioned as part of an integrated clinical research precinct to expand and strengthen our leadership in research.
Investing in lung transplant research is a pivotal step toward addressing the challenges posed by lung diseases. Your gift, one-off or ongoing, to support innovative lung research will help create a healthier future for St Vincent’s patients, nationally and globally.
St Vincent’s can’t do this alone. We invite you to make a gift to the endowed Lungs for the Future program, established by the Harker Family in partnership with Future Now Capital, to support lung research at St Vincent’s in perpetuity. You may also choose to immediately support lung research at St Vincent’s by gifting directly to St Vincent’s Curran Foundation (www.supportstvincents.com.au).
LIVE AUCTION PRIZES
Prizes from our generous sponsors the Sydney Swans, Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, Sandersons Mercedes-Benz Rushcutters Bay, Crown Resorts Foundation, and Casella Family Brands will be auctioned off during the night, with all proceeds going to supporting lung transplant research at St Vincent’s.
Best on Ground with the Sydney Swans
Valued at $5,000
Enjoy an ultimate Sydney experience with the Sydney Swans against the Western Bulldogs at the Sydney Cricket Ground, all from the comfort of a corporate box for eight people with catering of up to $1500. The successful bidder will also get the chance to be part of the Sydney Swans’ Guard of Honour at the match’s opening.
- An 8-seater outdoor corporate box at the Sydney Swans vs Western Bulldogs game at the SCG (date & time to be confirmed)
- The ultimate Sydney experience with the Sydney Swans
- Opportunity to be part of the Sydney Swans Guard of Honour as the Swans run out onto the SCG
- Inclusive of catering of up to $1,500
Kindly donated by Sydney Swans
Putt for Your Lungs at the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, and a mid-week escape at the Pullman Magenta Shores Retreat and transport courtesy of Sandersons Mercedes-Benz
Valued at $4,000
Enjoy a round of golf for four with family, friends and colleagues at the majestic Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club. This fabulous weekday package includes one nights accommodation in a three-bedroom villa for up to four adults at the Pullman Magenta Shores Retreat. Currently ranked #33 in Golf Australia Top 100, Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club is a Ross Watson designed 18-hole golf course has the Pacific ocean on one side, Tuggerah Lakes on the other and Wyrrabalong National Park to the North. The perfect mid-week escape, complete with a Mercedes-Benz SUV service.
- A round of golf for four with family, friends or colleagues at the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, currently ranked #33 in Golf Australia’s Top 100
- Complimentary Mercedes-Benz SUV service by Sandersons Mercedes-Benz Rushcutters Bay
- Mid-week package, including one-night accommodation in a three-bedroom villa for up to four adults at the scenic Pullman Magenta Shores Retreat
Kindly donated by Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, Pullman Magenta Shores Resort and Sandersons Mercedes-Benz Rushcutters Bay
Valued at $4,000
Enjoy a round of golf for four with family, friends and colleagues at the majestic Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club. This fabulous weekday package includes one nights accommodation in a three-bedroom villa for up to four adults at the Pullman Magenta Shores Retreat. Currently ranked #33 in Golf Australia Top 100, Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club is a Ross Watson designed 18-hole golf course has the Pacific ocean on one side, Tuggerah Lakes on the other and Wyrrabalong National Park to the North. The perfect mid-week escape, complete with a Mercedes-Benz SUV service.
- A round of golf for four with family, friends or colleagues at the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, currently ranked #33 in Golf Australia’s Top 100
- Complimentary Mercedes-Benz SUV service by Sandersons Mercedes-Benz Rushcutters Bay
- Mid-week package, including one-night accommodation in a three-bedroom villa for up to four adults at the scenic Pullman Magenta Shores Retreat
Kindly donated by Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, Pullman Magenta Shores Resort and Sandersons Mercedes-Benz Rushcutters Bay
Luxurious nights to remember at Crown Towers Melbourne and an opportunity to play one of Melbourne’s premier sand belt golf courses
Valued at $9,500
Treat yourself to the luxury you deserve with a weekend package at Crown Towers Melbourne that includes Crystal Club access, breakfast, parking, and a round of golf for four at the Capital Gold Club. The successful bidder will also win a $1,000 Crown Gift Card.
- One round of golf for four people at the Capital Golf Club (golf practice, light lunch and non-alcoholic beverages included)
- Two accommodation packages for two nights at Crown Towers Melbourne (Crystal Club access, breakfast, and parking included)
- One $1,000 Crown Gift Card
Kindly donated by Crown Resorts Foundation
Award-winning Australian wines and whiskies from one of the country’s most highly regarded wineries and distilleries
Valued at $3,000
Taste some of the best Australia has to offer. This magnum of premium Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz capture and express the unique and distinctive characteristics of the Barossa. Included are six bottles of single malt whisky.
- One Magnum of Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz 2015
- Two bottles of Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel
- Two bottles of Australian Single Malt Whisky Tokay Barrel
- Two bottles of Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature
Kindly donated by Casella Family Brands
Valued at $3,000
Taste some of the best Australia has to offer. This magnum of premium Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz capture and express the unique and distinctive characteristics of the Barossa. Included are six bottles of single malt whisky.
- One Magnum of Peter Lehmann Masterson Shiraz 2015 worth $2,000
- Two bottles of Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky Muscat Barrel worth $290
- Two bottles of Australian Single Malt Whisky Tokay Barrel worth $290
- Two bottles of Australian Single Malt Whisky Signature worth $190
Kindly donated by Casella Family Brands
Event Speakers
Steve Harker, AM
Chairman, Deal and Governance Specialist, Future Now Capital
Steve Harker, currently serving as Future Now Capital’s Chairman, Deal and Governance Specialist, was formerly a non-executive Director of Westpac Banking Corporation, the previous Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Australia, and a former Guardian of the Future Fund of Australia.
After a rare and serious lung disease, Steve became a lung transplant patient at St Vincent’s Hospital, where he experienced the exceptional care and expertise of the world-renowned St Vincent’s Lung Transplant Unit in Sydney.
Dr Claire Thomson
Acting director Thoracic Medicine and Lung Transplant clinical trials unit, Lung Transplant and Respiratory Physician, St Vincent’s Hospital
Dr Claire Thomson, MBBS FRACP is a Lung Transplant and Respiratory Physician with special interests in Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Claire leads the Interstitial Lung Disease Service at St Vincent’s Sydney where she regularly sees patients experiencing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Scleroderma ILD, smoking and occupational ILD and other connective tissue ILD. Claire is committed to advancing St Vincent’s Vision for a ‘best in class’ ILD service that will include a team of clinical ILD experts, specialist nursing and allied health staff, a comprehensive translational research program and leverage access to St Vincent’s renown cardiothoracic surgical team. Claire is the primary investigator on multiple ILD and lung transplant sponsor initiated clinical trials planned to start recruiting in the coming months.
Dr David Darley
Acting Medical Head of the Lung Transplant Unit and Respiratory Clinician, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
Dr David R Darley, MBBS BSc (Hons) FRACP trained in Adult Respirology and Sleep Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital and Concord Hospital in Sydney Australia. In 2017, he was awarded a St Vincent’s Clinic Foundation Scholarship to study and train at the University of Toronto, Canada, as a Clinical and Research Fellow in Advanced Lung Diseases and Pulmonary Transplantation. David is an experienced clinical researcher evidenced by 29 peer-reviewed publications with 1600 citations. David has led the introduction of the Lung Transplant Research Group at St Vincent’s Sydney and is the Chair of the TSANZ Lung Transplant Advisory Committee.
Ms Liarna Honeysett
Clinical Nurse Consultant Heart and Lung Transplantation
Liarna Honeysett is the Clinical Nurse Consultant for both heart and lung transplantation at St Vincent’s Sydney. Part of Liarna’s role includes coordinating transplants and flying with the retrieval team across the country to bring organs safely back to the Darlinghurst Precinct. Liarna has been a Registered Nurse for over 15 years, commencing her training in cardiac thoracic intensive care, more recently she has been the Nurse Manager of the Interventional Cardiology Service, before returning to the transplant team. Liarna is passionate about cardio-respiratory disease and improving the quality of life for patients and their families affected by it.
Vince Sorrenti
Host
Vince Sorrenti is a celebrated Australian comedian, writer, MC, and TV host who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years and has been recognised with numerous awards and honours. Sorrenti has appeared on numerous television shows, including Hey, Hey, It’s Saturday, The Footy Show, and Fat Pizza. He has also hosted his own show on MTV Australia.