History of the Heart & Lung Transplant Trust (Vic) Inc

The Trust was originally formed, by patients and for patients, as the “Family Fund”, and was primarily thought of as simply a social club and support group in those early and rather exploratory days. It’s earliest Constitution was formulated in mid-1995, though the first meetings of the fledgling Committee occurred a little earlier. The first of our newsletters-”The Circulator” was printed March 1994

In February 1998 the name of the Family Fund was changed to the present title of ‘Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Vic) Inc’, and as recently as 2002 we received official accreditation as a registered body, and the Australian Business Registration Number to go with it

Our aspirations now, in the 21st. Century, differ in practice, though not in principle, from the original aims. We still provide peer-group support to patients, though the progress of medical practice and surgical techniques has meant that today's patients are capable of self-support much earlier than in the ’old’ days. Our emphasis is now more on assisting the Transplant Unit in general, and the Transplant Clinic (Ward 3F) in particular This we do by raising funds for the purchase of equipment, or for the financing of research into areas relevant to transplantation.

A major fund-raiser for the Trust is it's newsletter. This is a quarterly publication intended to keep members up to date with current trends in medication, Clinic happenings, activities with and by other transplant interest-groups, and any interstate news of interest. Articles, letters, poems, photos etc, are solicited from members, and we currently have an average readership around 300.

The Trust committee meets at 2-monthly intervals at the Alfred, and holds an Annual General Meeting every November. All patients are eligible to attend all meetings! We have ongoing connection with the Transplant Unit via the Hospital-Liaison Officers, representing the various areas within the Alfred concerned with transplantation.

Finally-for those of you out there patiently awaiting your magical moment, the Trust is for you too! The best non-medical counselling you can have is that given by a patient with a successful transplant. You can read about the successes in the newsletter, and you can talk to members at our functions, meetings and online discussion groups.  Come along and join us!!

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