Melbourne Cup fundraiser celebrates 21 years of life-changing research
This year’s Glenn Brown Melbourne Cup Fundraiser is a double celebration—21 years of supporting groundbreaking cystic fibrosis (CF) research and the 30th anniversary of lung transplant recipient Carolyn Boyd (Caz), who will share her incredible story as the event’s guest speaker.
On 21 November 1994, Caz, who was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), received a double lung transplant that saved her life. Since then, she’s been dedicated to helping others in the CF community and advocating for research to improve the lives of people living with the condition.
“Research made my transplant possible and it’s what keeps me going today,” Caz Boyd said.
“Without game-changing research, I wouldn’t be here. This fundraiser is so important as all monies raised from the event support lifechanging research projects and local Western Australian researchers.
“100 years ago, no one would have thought you could have a double lung transplant but look where we are today. And through research there will more miracles.”
Caz’s story is one of resilience and giving back. She’s been a tireless advocate for CF for decades, volunteering for Cystic Fibrosis WA (CFWA) for more than 36 years, including 17 years on the CFWA board undertaking roles as Vice President and President/Chair. She also sat on the boards of Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the Lung Transplant Foundation.
But her journey is also about a unique bond with the family of her donor—a young mother named Natalie, who sadly passed away during her third pregnancy. Despite the usually anonymous nature of organ donation, Caz eventually met Natalie’s family and is now the proud godmother of Natalie’s daughter, 29-year-old Jayde.
“Natalie’s kids told me I was special saying, ‘You’ve got mummy’s lungs,’” Caz Boyd said.
“It’s something I think about every day and I’m incredibly grateful for. I wouldn’t be here without the organ donation made by Natalie’s family.
“Organ donation is the most generous selfless act. Without the organ donor, there is no story, no hope, no transplant. But when there is an organ donor, life springs from death, sorrow turns to hope and a terrible loss becomes a gift.”
The fundraiser will be held on Cup Day – Tuesday 5 November and will celebrate 21 years of giving hope and making a difference through medical research.
“I’m proud to be sharing my story at this 21st celebration. It all started in memory of a young boy called Glenn Brown, a young boy from Kalgoorlie who tragically lost his life to CF at the age of 15,” Caz Boyd said.
“He didn’t want to be forgotten and thanks to mums Janeine Thomas and Alison Guest, who started this inspiring event 21 years’ ago, his memory lives on.”
Since its launch in 2003, the event has raised more than half a million dollars to support vital CF research in Western Australia. Every dollar raised goes directly to research projects that are transforming how CF is treated and managed.
Funds from the Glenn Brown Memorial have already supported 11 major research projects and more than 50 doctors and students in Western Australia.
These initiatives include cutting-edge therapies like wearable technology and AI-driven treatments, stem-cell research to repair damaged lungs and new ways to deliver care to regional areas through telehealth.
If you’d like to attend to help support medical research and hear more about Caz’s story visit melbournecupperth.com.au, donations can also be made to – resphealth.org.au/donate-today
Caz will be celebrating her 30-year-milestone in Bali and heads there on 18 November with 35 of her close friends and family.
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