Funding application
Townsville Hospital and Health Service staff can apply for funding:
What we fund
As locals, we understand better than most the unique needs and health challenges faced by North Queenslanders, and those working to bring the highest quality of care and wellbeing to our region. We support lifesaving public health services in Townsville and across our region by fundraising for equipment, training, research and facilities.
We need your help to support more projects across North Queensland, creating better health and well-being experiences for our amazing community living up north.
Donations have helped across Townsville Hospital and Health Service, from big projects and small. Here are just a few:
- New laser to treat children who have experienced burns and scarring or vascular issues, treating NQ kids right here in the north
- Refurbishment of the courtyard for patients in isolation receiving cancer treatment
- Babycams connected to each cot in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit helping connect families with their new baby
- Providing equipment for facilities across our region – for example, tonometers, renal dialysis machines and comfortable furniture for patients and visitors
- Activity kits and toys for children spending time in hospital
Thank you for your amazing donations, your gift has made an incredible difference right here in NQ.
Read more about where your donations have helped below:
FUNDED: Brain Buggy - A new trolley brightening hospital stays in Townsville
26 September 2024
In a pioneering effort to improve care for older patients in hospital, the Eat Walk Engage team has introduced an innovative program on surgical wards 1 and 2. Dubbed the "Brain Buggy," this special trolley brings a variety of activities, books, and magazines directly to patients' bedsides, aiming to enrich their hospital experience and support their recovery. Eat Walk Engage is an initiative dedicated to enhancing care for elderly patients and has rolled out this new feature to address k...
FUNDED - New laser for Townsville thanks to your donations
1 August 2024
Generous donors have helped Brighter Lives fund a new burns laser to treat North Queensland children who have experienced burn injuries. The local hospital foundation laser’s fundraiser, also known as the Laser Raiser, has fundraised $173,000 to purchase a Cutera V+ laser to treat North Queensland children. Every year, around 200 children from across North Queensland present to the paediatric burns service at Townsville University Hospital. This service is the only one of its kind north of...
FUNDED - Beautiful outdoor courtyard for patients with cancer
28 May 2024
Generous community donations have helped Brighter Lives fund the refurbishment of an isolation courtyard for cancer patients at Townsville University Hospital. The courtyard is used by patients who require isolation for up to weeks at a time during their treatment, giving them a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy or simply view if they are not well enough to use it. The refurbishment of the courtyard includes new flooring, a shade cover, plants, and furniture, costing $54,000. “Thanks ...
FUNDED - Eye saving equipment for Ingham Hospital
15 April 2024
Thanks to tireless fundraising by locals, the Ingham Hospital now has its very own tonometer. Helen Shaw, Allied Health Assistant at Ingham Hospital has been the team leader for the fundraising effort, raising funds for local North Queensland charity, Brighter Lives. Helen said they are so grateful for the community support, adding, “we aimed to raise funds for items that can be used right here in Ingham, keeping care close to home.” A tonometer helps measure the pressure inside your...
FUNDED - New equipment for Magnetic Island Health Service
7 May 2024
Thanks to your donations, a tonometer and bladder scanner will now be on-site at Magnetic Island, meaning faster diagnosis and reducing the need to transfer patients to Townsville. The bladder scanner will mean Magnetic Island Health Service can continue to provide high-quality health care and catheter care to residents of the island. The tonometer helps to provide a thorough eye assessment at the clinic, meaning that patients with eye injuries can often stay close to home in their own community...
FUNDED: Companion pups and cats for patients
29 January 2024
Brighter Lives recently funded three companion dogs for the frailty team at Townsville University Hospital to help brighten patients’ time in hospital. The companion dogs will help keep patients happy and calm, focussing on the dog that interacts with its environment. The dog will respond to being stroked and will request more attention just like a real-life animal. “We are glad to be able to help brighten patients’ time in hospital by providing the Frailty Intervention t...
FUNDED: Sweet treats for brave little patients
7 April 2023
The paediatric outreach clinic is making healthcare a little bit sweeter for young patients! The team created a bravery award where every patient receives a lollipop after their visit. The goal is to turn what can be a daunting experience into a positive one and reduce the trauma associated with medical appointments.Paediatric outreach provides care for children recently in hospital and those in the community with chronic health conditions.The sweet treats continue to be funded by students from...
FUNDED: A brighter birthing experience
10 August 2022
Birth suites at Townsville University Hospital are looking brighter thanks to support from Glencore’s Refinery and Port Operations. Brighter Lives CEO Tanya Busoli said staff from the birth suite had approached the foundation for help in improving the appearance and comfort levels in the seven rooms. “Staff told us that the curtains in the space had become worn and tired, and that light was coming through gaps created by shrinkage overtime. They were seeking funding to replace the cu...
FUNDED: Caring for our littlest patients
24 June 2022
With big thanks to our community of supporters the littlest patients at Townsville University Hospital will benefit from a new piece of equipment. The Giraffe Infant Resuscitation System – or “Giraffe Warmer” – has arrived at the recently developed emergency department children’s area at Townsville University Hospital. Emergency department staff specialist, Michael Durkin, said the Giraffe Warmer will be used to treat the smallest patients – up to around two m...
FUNDED: Cutting edge technology for vascular screening
17 March 2022
Thanks to your donations, the world’s fastest vascular screening equipment will be helping patients at the Townsville University Hospital’s Allied Health Unit. This equipment allows quick and easy measurement of blood flow to the arm, ankle, and toe simultaneously and quickly for patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, metabolic syndrome, or other conditions who may have obstacles in their veins preventing blood flow. Patients can now be diagnosed with blockages in their vein...
FUNDED: Children's Ward Equipment
5 October 2021
The children's ward has received funding for $9,666 for a portable hoist and Calesca waterless warming/thawing devices to prepare expressed breast milk or formula feeds for infants. Staff from the children's ward were very excited and are pictured below with their large cheque. These items are made possible thanks to generous donors such as 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment THANK YOU!...
FUNDED: Emergency Department gets the green light on Vesticam
30 March 2021
The emergency department gets the green light on Vesticam With the help of our wonderful community, the emergency department will be able to reduce the need for repeat movement tests with patients experiencing dizziness and or vertigo. Jenni Meehan, Allied Health Team Leader was ecstatic to hear they are receiving funding for a Vesticam. “When Brighter Lives told me, I was ecstatic they made my week, month, and year. We’ve never had access to this equipment, and it really is a one-of...
FUNDED: Virtual reality going to theatre
16 February 2021
Did you know? Donations from our community have funded six Virtual Reality (VR) headsets for the Anaesthetics and Persistent Pain Management Service. VR has become widely used in the management of procedural pain, such as cannulation, burns dressings, and other conditions. Research from Queensland Children’s Hospital found significant benefits for children with various conditions. ICT Project Manager, Michael Barber, said the VR headsets have found significant benefits for children with va...
FUNDED: No excess baggage for people experiencing trauma
15 February 2021
In a health emergency the last thing you think of is grabbing a suitcase full of things you may need. This was the case for a child and mother from PNG who were transferred to the Townsville University Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Social Worker, Jenny Harris approached Brighter Lives for a donation of a suitcase for the family so that they can return home with their new belongings. “We have patients that come to Townsville University Hospital for urgent medical treat...
FUNDED: Bronchovideoscopes Saves Lives
12 January 2021
Two bronchovideoscopes purchased with help from the community have proven life-saving for children at Townsville University Hospital Brighter Lives CEO Tanya Busoli said the two bronchovideoscopes for children under 18 years of age were funded thanks to a $54,000 grant from the Children’s Hospital Foundation. Dr Ramaa Puvvadi, Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Physician, said they have completed more than 100 bronchoscopies and some have been lifesaving. For children like ...
FUNDED: More time to say goodbye
11 January 2021
Nothing can ease the pain of losing a child, but Stephanie Marcus wants to give other parents a chance for more time to say goodbye. In May this year, the Marcus family had to say goodbye to their little boy Van. Overcome by grief Stephanie threw herself into raising money for a cuddle cot for families that find themselves in the same situation. A cuddle cot is a cooling cot that regulates the body temperature of angel babies. Stephanie said she and her husband at the time the Marcus family were...
