The Honda Foundation Helps Alfred Hospital Save Lives

TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALAI – July 28, 2010: The Honda Foundation and John Blair Honda in Prahran have given a helping hand to the Alfred Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, with a donation of $19,450 to purchase a Meditherm heating/cooling machine used in the treatment of trauma.

The state-of-the-art machine safely and quickly cools a patient to avoid secondary brain trauma after a serious accident.

The machine is also used in instances where a patient needs to be cooled to control high fevers; ‘hibernate’ the brain in severe head injuries; prepare the patient prior to performing some types of brain surgery; and, to protect the brain after cardiac arrest.

The Meditherm machine replaces the previous and difficult to control method of heating and cooling a patient using ice and fans, which has the potential to spread infection.

“Victoria has experienced one of the most catastrophic 18 months with trauma from road accidents, to bush fires and knifings. The Meditherm machine has assisted us in saving lives every day,” said Professor Mark Fitzgerald, Director of Trauma at the Alfred Hospital.

“Alfred Hospital is one of only two state adult Major Trauma Services and receives 60 per cent of adult trauma victims in Victoria, the most in the state. Having the Meditherm is essential in servicing the high number of patients through the ICU and ensuring they are treated adequately before undergoing life-saving surgery.

“We sincerely thank The Honda Foundation and John Blair Honda for providing funding to purchase this cutting edge machine, keeping the Alfred Hospital at the forefront of medical innovation,” Prof. Fitzgerald added.

Chairman of The Honda Foundation, Mr. Lindsay Smalley, applauded the work of the Alfred Hospital as the leading trauma hospital in Victoria.

“The Honda Foundation is proud to support the life-saving work of the Alfred Hospital ICU. As technology improves, the level of care provided by the hospital also improves,” Mr. Smalley said.

Formed in 1992, The Honda Foundation supports local communities and fosters goodwill among Honda Australia, Honda dealers and the public.

The Honda Foundation supports Australian organisations that focus on the disadvantaged, disabled and suffering, along with humanitarian bodies that provide relief to natural disaster victims and those that promote innovation, technological development and the preservation of Australian culture.

The Honda Foundation has donated more than $7.5 million to Australian charities and organisations since its inception and supports 40 registered charities each year.

It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia, who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car sold.