MAKING A DIFFERENCE - BRIAN AND PATSY'S LIVING LEGACY 

By Steve Liebmann OAM

It’s no secret that donors are the heart of Humpty – and whenever they can, Humpty shows their valued donors how their donations have made a real difference in paediatric wards, neonatal units, and maternity and emergency departments around Australia. 

Recently, Paul Francis had the chance to thank some of Humpty's most generous donors – Brian Allen OAM and his wife Patsy Allen. It was a bittersweet moment, as Brian was lying in a hospital bed surrounded by family at the time of Paul’s visit. Brian was terminally ill with mesothelioma after working for many years in the construction industry. 

Paul brought a video of thank-you messages from the doctors and nurses who were working with the medical equipment Brian and his wife Patsy had donated over the years. The Allens’ last donation was $1 million dollars, and Paul wanted to show them how much of a difference their hugely generous gift had made. 

As Brian’s life was drawing to a close, it prompted him to reflect on a legacy he could leave after his passing. Knowing there wasn’t much that could be done for him, but what a substantial donation could do for others, particularly babies being able to lead a full life.

Brian had wanted his last donation to be spent along Australia’s east coast where he’d made his money in construction – and that wish was granted. As Brian lay in his hospital bed, he listened to messages from hospital staff across NSW, VIC and QLD, telling him how his kindness was saving the lives of critically ill babies and children. 

The staff at the Bathurst Health Service Paediatric and Special Care Nursery thanked Brian and Patsy for making a difference to the young lives of the people they served. And Dubbo Health Service told Brian and Patsy that the equipment they had donated, through Humpty, meant hundreds of sick newborns and children from all over rural NSW would now receive the very best care possible. 

The donation provided a range of lifesaving medical equipment such as the Atom Infant Warmer and Intellivue Patient Monitor, to monitor sick and preterm babies. The donation also meant a Jaundice Detector, a Vital Signs Monitor and Angel Eye Cameras could be made available. The Allens also made another special request. 

Part of Brian and Patsy’s living legacy donation provided transport ventilators and incubators for Careflight.