FOUNDATION Breathe founder Sasha Bosich will aim to raise $30,000 for five portable oxygenators to help lung transplant patients stay healthy pre-surgery.
Mt Claremont resident Ms Bosich suffered from chronic lung disease since birth and underwent a successful double lung transplant in August last year.
She said she experienced 12 months of rigorous testing and exhaustive ‘pre-work up’ to qualify for the surgery.
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READ NOW“I pretty much disappeared from society – I was having intravenous drugs for months, oxygen and a CPAP machine, as carbon dioxide was building up in my body,” she said.
“My friends and family saw my struggle during the waiting period for donor lungs.”
The corporate psychologist said she was not able to purchase a portable oxygenator machine, which would have given her more freedom before surgery, due to limited funding available for patients.
During this time Ms Bosich was inspired to create Foundation Breathe, to support other transplant patients, after her “joyless and difficult to manage” pre-surgery experience.
“When I was going through the process, their was very limited funding for the equipment,” she said.
“If patients don’t have access to the equipment, it could compromise their chance for surgery”.
The former Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) student will host her first fundraising event, Breathe Cocktail Party, at PLC in November.
Ms Bosich said she hoped to raise funds for a range of medical equipment and support services for the Lung Transplant Unit at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“In addition to the amazing donations for unique experiences, accommodation, jewellery, artwork and live and silent auctions at our fundraising event, there will be food and drinks too,” he said.
“This is also the first time the Lighthouse Wellness Centre has been used for an external event, and I am grateful to my old school for opening their doors for our fundraiser.”
The Essentials:
WHEN: Breathe Cocktail Party on November 17 from 6pm.
WHERE: Lighthouse Wellness Centre at Presbyterian Ladies College.
TICKETS: $100 per person. To book tickets go to https://bit.ly/2T1b6.