Hi friends - thanks for dropping by!! 

You probably know I'm hugely passionate about my work with the RHH Research Foundation, you may even know how much I love hiking the coasts and cliffs of our beautiful island home.

But you may not know one of the things that motivates me most - the way in which serious medical conditions have impacted those close to me.

It seems almost everyone in Tassie has a story to tell about a loved one who has had their quality of life lessened by the health issues that are so prevalent across our community - this beautiful state has some of the worst performance on health indicators for Australia.  So I guess in many ways, my story is similar to others, but it serves to underline why this Kokoda Challenge is so important to me.

You see right about the time that I was born, my dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a deteriorating condition that is so hard to watch as it takes effect.  It impacts physically, emotionally and in some cases also cognitively.  For my dad though, it never impacted upon his resilience or his determination - he was amazing as he continued to persevere through so many challenges and his inspiration has always remained with me.

My older brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in his early twenties and he shows the same qualities of good-humour and a drive to just 'get on with it' that inspire me too. My much-loved ma is about to turn 93yo (sorry ma, but I'm so proud of you!).  She and I live with arthritis and have done so for many, many years.  These days, between hips and toes (and a few other bits in between), I've got more than a fair share of metal - the replaced bits certainly get the security detectors in the airport going!

But there's no way that 25 years of living with this chronic and deteriorating condition has ever slowed me down.  If you know me at all, there's generally only two speeds - flat out and asleep on the couch!

What inspires me most is the medical research being undertaken in our Tassie community on each of these conditions - MS, diabetes and arthritis are just a few of the focus points that our Scientific Advisory Committee selects for the Foundation's grant funds as part of a competitive process each year.

Knowing that each of the conditions that have impacted on my family are likely to have a genetic predisposition, I'm doing this for my kids, Em and Will. 

After growing up with such amazingly inspiring parents, I'm keen for my kids to know that a determination to do more for others brings such rich reward.  Who knows, maybe the medical research that the RHHRF continues to fund may one day help to give them a better quality of life too.  Just as it does to so many folk around us, each and every day.

I know my creaky joints (probably even the metal ones) will let me know what it means to live with chronic arthritis at every step along the Kokoda Track.  From my prep so far, I know these will be nine of the toughest days of my life.  But I'm doing this for a reason - better health for my family in the future. 

I do hope that you'll show your support to help this along the way - it would mean so much to carry that support along the Track with me, making this determination so worthwhile!!

Thank you!!!

Heather

Hello there,

THANK YOU so much for visiting this page.

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through the Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation. Thanks so much for your support!

Help us fund local medical research – for Tasmanians, by Tasmanians.

Every year, the RHH Research Foundation receives many more applications from clinical researchers than it can support. Each of these applications has the potential to produce ground-breaking, even life-saving medical discoveries.

With your help, we can fund three year-long Project Grants by raising $75,000 through the Trek for Research. The money you raise will support these research projects and could be part of funding a medical breakthrough.

“The Trek for Medical Research will make an immense difference to our capacity to support the health and wellbeing of our Tasmanian community. The Trek has the potential to not only continue to increase funding, but to build crucial awareness around the vital work of the Foundation. This enables us to do even more to support future generations and continue to invest into local medical research associated with the diseases and disorders that impact people across our state.”

- RHH Research Foundation CEO Heather Francis

The Kokoda Track was the scene of bitter fighting when the Australian Army fought to defend Port Moresby from advancing Japanese forces in 1942. Today, walking that same track has become an iconic pilgrimage for those wanting to honour the ANZAC spirit. The Trek for Medical Research will take place over ANZAC Day 2020 as a special commemoration of the historic events.

Regarded as one of the world’s greatest treks, the Kokoda Track links the south and north coast of Papua New Guinea across 96 kilometres of rocky mountain terrain, tropical rainforest and remote villages.

On this adventure, you’ll lace up your boots to trek alongside RHH Research Foundation supporters to raise funds to invest in vital medical research, for Tasmanian locals, by Tasmanian locals.

By day, you’ll trek Papua New Guinea’s tropical rainforest, the terrain as challenging as it is beautiful. As nightfall descends, you will stay in isolated camps, swapping stories with local Koiari and Orokaiva people and falling asleep to the nocturnal sounds of the jungle.

Though the Track is challenging, you’ll be rewarded with an unmatched sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that YOU have made a huge difference to Royal Hobart Hospital Research Foundation and helped fund the next potential medical breakthrough.

FIND OUT MORE HERE