The Alfred 10
‘The Alfred 10' is a group of former patients who received life-saving treatment at The Alfred.
Their extraordinary tales of survival are an inspiration.
These are the amazing stories of The Alfred's Fathers' Day Appeal ambassadors.
Dr Lee Gordon-Brown
Dr Lee Gordon-Brown - Shot at Monash University, 2002
Monash University lecturer Dr Lee Gordon-Brown wrestled a student gunman to the ground at Clayton's Monash campus, suffering gunshot wounds to the leg and arm. With complications in his leg, Lee was quickly sent to The Alfred's hyperbaric chamber for intense treatment, and is now back teaching, playing golf and learning to fly.
TopLes Twentyman
Les Twentyman - Struck Down by Serious Infection, 2009
Les Twentyman faced a mammoth battle earlier this year when serious health problems left him in a coma fighting for life. Recovering from surgery, he was struck down by a serious infection and spent weeks in The Alfred. Thanks to Les's fighting spirit and the dedication of Alfred specialists, Les is back pounding the streets doing what he does best.
TopGraham Polak
Graham Polak - Hit by a Tram, 2008
AFL footballer Graham Polak was hit by a tram while crossing a road in Melbourne's inner south-east in 2008. The 25-year-old was rushed to The Alfred and put in an induced coma with bruising on the brain. Within a week he was able to acknowledge loved ones by squeezing their hands. Graham is now back training with the Richmond Football Club, and this month made a dream AFL comeback.
TopRanald Webster
Ranald Webster - Burnt fighting the Ash Wednesday Fires, 1983
Ranald suffered third degree burns fighting the Ash Wednesday Fires. When he was rushed to The Alfred, Ranald's face was unrecognisable from his burns. But with expert care and treatment at The Alfred, he went on to make a remarkable recovery.
TopProfessor Tony Dart
Professor Tony Dart - From heart doctor to heart patient, 2004
The Alfred's Head of Cardiology felt a burning sensation in his chest while treating a patient and required emergency cardiac surgery. His life was saved by his colleagues.
TopJason McCartney
Jason McCartney - Injured in Bali Bombing, 2002
Jason was a North Melbourne football star who with many other Australians was in Bali when it was bombed in 2002. He suffered second degree burns to 50 per cent of his body as well as a shrapnel wound. Since being a patient at The Alfred he has also been an enormous supporter of the hospital, dedicating his time as Patron of The Alfred's Life Support Committee.
TopBill Hill
Bill Hill - Severely burnt saving home on Black Saturday, 2009
Bill Hill managed to get away from the Black Saturday flames on his tractor but the radiant heat was intense and he sustained severe face and limb burns, requiring grafting. Bill spent three weeks in The Alfred Burns Unit and is now back on his farm.
TopHeath Brew
Heath Brew - Survived the Longford Gas Explosion, 1998
Heath was working at the Longford Gas Plant when an explosion left him with life threatening injuries. He was stabilised before being flown to The Alfred Trauma Centre suffering burns to 50 per cent of his body, a broken leg and a deep wound from a flying piece of metal. Heath was challenged to do a fun run by one of his intensive care nurses at The Alfred. He organised his own fun run in Sale and raised $32,000.
TopJohn Blackman
John Blackman - Survived a golf ball sized tumour, 2007
John had a seizure in his home office on Christmas Eve 18 months ago. He was rushed to hospital and was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour. Two days later, John went through five and a half hours of surgery at The Alfred, spent a day in ICU, went to the ward the following day and by the 30th was at home.
TopNeil Soullier
Neil Soullier - Revived in shopping centre carpark,
Neil popped out to get a loaf of bread and the paper one Sunday morning when he suddenly began to have breathing difficulties and experienced a heart attack on the street. Paramedics revived him at the scene and rushed him to The Alfred where he received life-saving surgery to treat a 100 per cent heart arterial blockage.
TopBy supporting The Alfred Fathers' Day Appeal, you are helping to ensure the very best care is available to all who need The Alfred.
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