Continuing a legacy - Margaret Pratt

So strong was co-founder Margaret’s philanthropic vision that even though the Foundation she helped create with her husband, Tony, ceased operations in 2017, her legacy will continue to flourish through the birth of an exciting new organisation – the Lungitude Foundation.

Margaret was an inspiration. Diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, she became the first person in Australia to undergo three double-lung transplants as clinicians worked on new ways to battle the rare disease. Margaret sadly passed away in 2009 as a result of organ rejection.

Despite her devastating condition, she worked tirelessly throughout her life to improve the survival rates of other transplant recipients in the community.

Following a transplant, patients face enormous medical challenges. The most serious is organ rejection, which is the most common cause of death after transplantation.

The Margaret Pratt Foundation was set up to solve these problems – by encouraging research and the development of expertise in this complex field.

And now, with the blessing of the Margaret Pratt Foundation, the Lungitude Foundation will take up this challenge. Inspired by Margaret’s legacy, the new Foundation is energised and passionate about continuing to fund the vital, life-saving transplant research and clinical services taking place at The Alfred.

The Alfred acknowledges the remarkable contribution of Margaret and the Foundation’s volunteer staff towards the hospital’s Lung Transplant Unit and its patients.

And we now look forward to working with the Lungitude Foundation. It is through this new, exciting collaboration that the next steps will be taken to fulfil Margaret’s dream.

To find out more about the Lungitude Foundation, its events, vision and fundraising, visit their website.