1. winter 2012
searcher
Rise of a new
stroke therapy
A father’s touch …It’s there at birth
when a tiny hand clings to a burly
thumb. It’s there when we cross the
road. It’s there to apply band-aids
and to ruffle hair.
Imagine, then, if it was suddenly
taken away. Put yourself in the shoes
of Crystal Fitzgibbon who was just 26
when she suffered an acute stroke
that paralysed her right side and
literally rendered her speechless. BRIGHT FUTURE: Stroke survivor Crystal Fitzgibbon with Professor Chris Levi.
In the critical few hours that
followed, Crystal recalls being taken Crystal’s partner immediately 24 hours and 44 per cent had good
to John Hunter Hospital, whisked called an ambulance. or excellent recovery after 90 days.
through Emergency and thrust into “They gave me the Tenecteplase Professor Chris Levi, Director of
the belly of a CT scanner. and moved me to the stroke ward. Acute Stroke Services at John Hunter,
A future rich with promise was I’m not sure how long it took but I said Tenecteplase was very effective
now in the hands of her neurologist. remember my Dad standing next me, as part of a tailored treatment: “Not
But almost as swiftly as stroke holding my right hand, and when the all patients benefit from clot-busting
had struck, a new drug restored feeling came back there was no way drugs but because stroke is such a
normality. Called Tenecteplase, I was going to let his hand go.” hard illness to treat, any treatment
it was being trialled against the advance is like gold,” he said.
standard drug Alteplase by the HMRI “ Dad was next me ... The study was funded by the
Stroke Research Group. federal NHMRC following grants
Within 24 hours Crystal achieved and when the feeling from HMRI and donors including
what doctors call the “Lazarus” came back there was no the Greater Charitable Foundation.
effect, where she rose off her The group is now hoping to deliver a
way I was going to let
hospital bed. Three days later she larger scale international study.
was back home and, two years on, his hand go.” “We have to see if this drug
the attractive and articulate woman benefits stroke patients in the ‘real
sipping a coffee shows no ill effects. Findings published in the world’ who may be less likely to
“We’d just moved into our new prestigious New England Journal experience the dramatic benefits
home and we were building a of Medicine show two-thirds of the seen so far,” study leader Assoc
retaining wall. Suddenly I didn’t feel patients treated with Tenecteplase Professor Mark Parsons from the
100 per cent,” Crystal recalls. had major neurological improvement University of Newcastle said.
“I went inside to the bathroom within a day and 72 per cent had For Crystal, going home was a
mirror and could see something excellent or good recovery three surreal moment. “I was thankful I
wasn’t right. I tried to speak but the months after their stroke. had the stroke where and when I did.
words didn’t come out. I then tried to Of those administered Alteplase, This drug has given me a second
move my right arm and couldn’t.” 36 per cent showed improvement at chance for sure,” she said.
www.hmri.net.au
Follow HMRI on
Facebook and Twitter

2. community
RISKY BUSINESS: John Wiggers,
Path to longer life centre, with the HS-HF research team.
HMRI and HVRF (Hunter Valley Research
Foundation) Health Research Economists, Good decisions start here
Professor Chris Doran and Associate
Every parent wants their child behaviours,” Assoc Professor
Professor Andrew Searles are members of
to make good choices when, as Wiggers said.
a team engaged by Queensland Health to
teenagers, they’re tempted to The program, which is
evaluate initiatives to improve the health and
partake in drinking, smoking and integrated into all aspects of
wellbeing in selected Aboriginal and Torres
drug use behaviours. the school curriculum, includes
Strait Islander (ATSI) communities in the
The Healthy Schools, Healthy confidence-building skills,
Cape York region.
Futures program was established anti-bullying programs and
The evaluation framework will provide a
to counteract these decisions. parent/community engagement
pathway to determine whether initiatives
The program is delivered to activities.
designed to improve health and wellbeing
students from years 7 to 10,
have been successful and whether they
building on the premise that by
represent value for money.
increasing self-confidence and
Remote ATSI communities generally
resilience in young people they,
experience significant health disadvantages
in turn, make better decisions It has expanded from 12 to
compared with non-Indigenous Australians.
and are less likely to consider over 20 secondary schools
Indigenous people in Cape York die at
risky behaviours. throughout the Hunter due to a
a substantially earlier age than people in
Associate Professor John partnership between HMRI and
Queensland overall: between 2002 and 2005
Wiggers and Megan Freund nib foundation.
the median age of death for Indigenous
began the pilot study over 10 Results have shown a reduction
people in Cape York (52 for males and 56 for
years ago. of over 50 per cent in binge
females) was about 20 years lower than the
“It was clear that adolescents drinking, smoking and drug use.
comparable medians for Queensland overall.
do not like being told no, so “No intervention has seen
Furthermore, the leading causes of death
rather than saying don’t do results like this before; it
were diseases of the circulatory system,
drugs, don’t drink and don’t highlights the link between
cancer, injuries and metabolic diseases, all
smoke the study focuses on the good decision making and self-
of which were potentially preventable.
decision-making skills that lead confidence in young people,”
The project initially required the
them into those situations and Assoc Professor Wiggers said.
prioritisation of health issues based on a
measure that represents the length of time
lived in good health. Called Health-Adjusted Jogging for the Greater good
Life Expectancy (HALE), it is a measure of
the number of years lived from birth in full Greater Building Society staff
health. swapped their ties and heels for
In 2006, the average HALE for ATSI people running attire to participate in
in Cape York was 55.6 years. This compares the 2012 Sparke Helmore/NBN
with 73.6 years for Queensland overall. Television Triathlon Festival.
The next stages of the project will involve The Greater sponsored the 5km
run leg of the festive, held on the
the identification of community-based
Friday evening, with all proceeds
indicators that are related to these priorities.
going to HMRI.
* Article courtesy of HVRF

3. research
An interdisciplinary
Aerial photograph by team of scientists at the
Valley Panoramic University of Newcastle
www.valleypanoramic.com.au has shown the potential
of a simple blood test
to identify people in
the early stages of
Alzheimer’s disease.
They spent a
year studying data from an international
Alzheimer’s disease database and assessed
the levels of 190 proteins in blood.
Of those proteins, 11 can provide a
predictive test with more than 85 per cent
accuracy. Brain imaging or spinal punctures
have previously been used for diagnosis.
“Our study makes a considerable step
Anticipation is towards cheap, non-invasive testing,”
Professor Pablo Moscatto said.
Building! HMRI and the University of Newcastle
funded the study.
Health and medical researchers With winter here,
will move into the new HMRI June 2010
HMRI researchers hope
Building from early July onwards, to shed light on the
following a decision to extend the potential side effects
relocation timetable. of common asthma
A five-week addition to the medications.
$90 million project will allow Researchers are
for enhanced commissioning seeking people over
18 with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma to
and ensure an optimal working June 2011
participate in a study investigating whether
environment from day one.
Prednisolone (the standard treatment for
“We had been working towards moderate to severe asthma attacks) causes
vacating the David Maddison changes in body composition.
Building by June 12, however “There is anecdotal evidence that oral
Stronach Property has kindly corticosteroid medications may increase
supported an extension to the appetite and lead to weight gain when used
occupancy period,” HMRI Director June 2012 to treat other conditions,” Professor Peter
Professor Michael Nilsson said. Gibson said. Co-investigator Dr Lisa Wood
The initial vision for the building, PROJECT MILESTONES added that obesity can make asthma worse.
conceived by the then-named Phone Bronwyn Berthon on 4985 5649.
May 2008: Project Director
Hunter Medical Research
appointed A study has
Cooperative in 1990, included the
Oct 2009: Plans go on display. identified a diet
comment: “In essence the building
dilemma for pregnant
is expected to be a two-storey Mar 2010: NSW Government
women and those
medium quality structure, brick approves project.
trying to conceive –
veneer and tile roof”. Aug 2010: Site preparation begins. avoiding “risky”’ foods
What now stands is a world- Feb 2011: Concrete slab poured. while maintaining
class, four-storey structure adequate nutrition.
Sep 2011: Fitout work starts.
with 16,000 square metres of Researchers found
laboratory and office space to Jul 2012: Relocation begins. that women who frequently ate foods
accommodate 400 researchers. potentially containing Listeria had a 20 per
cent greater risk of miscarriage but also had
the highest intake of nutrients essential for a
From mid August the new See the latest healthy pregnancy.
phone number for HMRI
Corporate will be 4042 0000, video tour at “It is important for pregnant women to
achieve a balance between an adequate
and 4042 1000 for the special
Donation Line. General email is hmri.net.au intake of nutrients such as folate, iron,
zinc and protein, and reducing their risk of
info@hmri.com.au. Listeriosis,” Professor Clare Collins said.

4. events
Photo by Ed Cross
G
O Y
D
LF
A
FAIR WAYS: Perfect weather
and manicured greens greeted
players in the HMRI Golf Day
at Newcastle Golf Course on
April 27. Bragging rights in
Done like dinners ...
the ambrose event went to the The 2012 Gastronomic Lunch of the Year
Little Green Frog team (above) held in May raised more than $134,000
with a 10-under-par 62! for medical research, making it the most
successful year on record.
Organised by restaurateur Neil Slater with
Sport support for cancer support from other harbour-front eateries, the
event attracted a full house of 165 diners at
The Katie Jane Sutter Memorial Day on April 21, honouring a young
Fort Scratchley Function Centre.
woman who passed away on her 28th birthday in 2011, raised over
HMRI Director Professor Michael Nilsson
$20,000 in just 12 hours for cervical cancer research.
commended Mr Slater (pictured centre) and
It kicked off with breakfast at RAW Café in Newcastle, followed by
the organising team for creating an event
great support from Southern Beaches rugby club, which had a post-
that celebrated the best of Hunter food, wine
match charity auction.
and medical research.
It is a credit to their family and friends that they have been able to
“It was a wonderful day, with exceptional
turn such a tragic loss into something so positive.
food and wine, and to raise in excess of
Upcoming events $134,000 is just tremendous. The money will
go towards a project of vital importance to
young diabetics and their families.”
A ball for all The biennial Pink Frangipani Ball -
From diamond slippers to ice organised by Andrea Rufo, his two daughters
palaces, the HMRI Ball has and a ball committee - yielded $80,000 in
offered a night of finery and April, taking the total raised since 2006 to a
frivolity for more than a decade. remarkable $291,000.
It’s a chance for supporters 2011 Ball Mr Rufo’s wife Sandra died of breast
and researchers alike to kick cancer in 2005, and funds from the ball will
up their heels and mingle. Jones Building in Hunter Street be used for vital research into breast cancer
The 2012 Ball will be no and we can now reveal that the and to improve local services; $50,000 for
exception; fine food and theme is “Secret Garden”. HMRI grants, the other $30,000 to establish
exquisite entertainment in a It’s on Saturday, July 7, and a nursing scholarship at Calvary Mater
unique setting. tickets are selling fast. Phone Newcastle .
The venue is the old David 4921 4030 for details. “I made a promise to Sandra that her love,
tenacity and courage would live on to help
SAVE THE DATES: inspire others,” Mr Rufo said.
June 17 Ski4Kids, Manly to Newcastle
June 23-24 Ken Russell Bike Ride
July 7 HMRI Ball Lookout Road,
July (TBC) Pulse Trivia Night New Lambton
Locked Bag 1,
August 19 PULSE High Tea HRMC NSW 2310
September 15 Stroud Rodeo T 02 4921 4030
September 30 PULSE Grand Final F 02 4985 5909
E info@hmri.net.au
ABN 27 081 436 919
SEE THE WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS

5. Your support helps
fund life-changing
research!
You can make a real difference
The Hunter has one of the highest incidences of
Type-1 diabetes in the world. It’s a lifelong disorder
that can lead to blindness, kidney or heart failure,
stroke, amputation and damage to the nervous
system if not managed correctly.
Clinicians here in the Hunter are achieving world-
leading treatment results, yet it remains a constant
struggle for young sufferers and their families.
There are finger pricks, day and night, to check
glucose levels. Then comes the insulin injections
- either by pump or needle - and continual dietary
supervision. Parents often shoulder the burden of
responsibility.
Bright and bubbly
11-year-old Emma
Burns is typical
of young Type-1
diabetics. Since being
diagnosed at just two
years of age, her life
has been ruled by
complex food charts
– everything she ate
was measured and
weighed exactly.
Friends were cautious
about inviting Emma to their house and rarely
could she enjoy parties. That was until Emma
participated in a diabetes diet study conducted by
Paediatric Endocrine Dietician Carmel Smart.
Carmel’s research proved that estimating
carbohydrate portions worked as effectively as
carbohydrate counting down to the last gram. It
meant life-changing results for Emma, and children
just like her.
The next step is to perfect a food management
system that can allow the new-generation
closed-loop insulin pumps to automate the blood
monitoring and dosage procedures.
“I feel like everybody else now, I can do whatever
I like to do,” Emma said. “I just need to do a few
extra things than my friends.”
You can help make life better for
people like Emma and her family.
Please donate today by completing
the form overleaf, or online.
www.hmri.net.au

6. Yes!
I would like to make a
donation in support of
life changing research!
Please accept my donation of:
$30 $60 $100
SEARCHER 1112Q4
My choice: $ D&S
Payment options:
Please find enclosed a cheque or money order
(made payable to HMRI), or
Please find my credit card details below.
You can also make a donation online at
www.hmri.com.au or by calling our office
between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday,
on (02) 4985 5623.
Gifts of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Please debit my card:
VISA Mastercard
Credit Card number:
__ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __
Expiry: __ __ / __ __ Security Number: __ __ __
(last three digits on the back of your card)
Name on card:
Signature:
Name:
Address:
Phone: Mobile:
Email:
We will use your email address to keep you up to date with
our latest campaign and project information.
Date of birth:
We are privacy compliant and will only disclose information to
you in future once personal details, such as date of birth, have
been verified.
To remove your name from our mailing list, please call our office
on (02) 4985 5623.
Please post this form (no stamp required) to:
Hunter Medical Research Institute
Reply Paid 83969
Locked Bag 1
Hunter Region MC NSW 2310