Rubber hits road for cardiology

QSuper is bolstering cardiac care in Far North Queensland by enabling 100 percent of funds raised through the annual QSuper Cardiac Challenge to support the purchase of new equipment for cardiac and respiratory services in FNQ.
This is an important partnership opportunity in QSuper’s calendar, with many of the super fund’s members working as Queensland Health employees in the region.
This year, funds raised from the QSuper Cardiac Challenge, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, will go towards a ventilator for cardiology, a lung function testing system, and an endobronchial ultrasound system for respiratory care.
Brothers Nick and Peter Lyngcoln will cycle the challenge’s 333 kilometres from Cairns to Cooktown to fundraise in their mother’s memory.
With their brother Daniel, the trio established Annie’s Army, a team of participating riders, following their mother Annie Lyngcoln’s death in 2017 to raise much-needed funds for the cardiac services in FNQ. Annie spent four weeks in the Unit before she passed away.
The team has raised more than $40,000 to date, with an annual fundraising goal of $10,000.
Peter Lyngcoln said the exceptional support and care Annie received during her time in hospital motivates he and his brother to participate in the event each year.
“The reason why this year is our fourth taking part in the challenge is that our values are so aligned, and we know all of the funds we raise go directly to improving cardiac care facilities,” Mr Lyngcoln said.
“The initial driver for us was the healthcare workers who were there 24/7 helping Mum. The facilities and care they provided got her to the point where she almost pulled through and for that extra time, we are forever grateful.
“We didn’t just want to do the ride, we wanted to raise money on her behalf so that other people in the region could access facilities and care without the added stress of travelling to a major city like Townsville or Brisbane,” he said.
QSuper Chief Executive Officer Michael Pennisi said the QSuper Cardiac Challenge is an example of how corporate and community support can work together to bring greater outcomes for Queenslanders.
“QSuper looks after the retirement savings of many Queensland Health employees in the state’s Far North and we are proud to support an initiative that helps our members working in cardiac health provide state-of-the-art care for their patients,” Mr Pennisi said.
“Through the challenge we’re able to ensure all the incredible fundraising efforts by participants go directly to supporting the cardiac care and facilities available to the Far North Queensland community.”
Since Annie was in hospital, the Foundation has contributed more than $1.6 million towards a second cardiac catheter laboratory, enabling the introduction of electrophysiology cardiology. Patients previously had to travel hundreds of kilometres for this service. The Foundation also has purchased many other pieces of equipment for cardiology over the past 15 years.
Since the Cardiac Challenge was first held in 2007, the Foundation has contributed more than $4 million to cardiology services in FNQ.
The QSuper Cardiac Challenge will be held from from 25-27 September. To find out more about the event and how to donate visit https://cardiacchallenge.com.au/.
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About QSuper
QSuper is one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, with more than $117 billion in funds under administration. From humble beginnings more than a century ago, today we manage the retirement savings of more than 594,000 members.
About the Cardiac Challenge
The QSuper Cardiac Challenge is a signature event of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, which has provided more than $25 million to supporting health care in FNQ, in the past 24 years. Every year, hundreds of cyclists from around Australia and overseas are drawn to the city of Cairns in tropical Far North Queensland to saddle up for the Cardiac Challenge. The fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown increases momentum each year. This event was launched in 2007 by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation which has raised more than $4 million for cardiac services in that time. The Foundation is dedicated to improving patient outcomes through the provision of improved services and equipment.
Itinerary
Day 1: Cairns – Mt Carbine (127km)
Day 2: Mt Carbine – Lakeland (113km)
Day 3: Lakeland – Cooktown (80km)