PRESS RELEASE: Wendy Jenkins awarded OAM for service towards lung transplant research

The co-founder of the Lungitude Foundation Wendy Jenkins has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for “lung transplant research”, after over 14 years of charity work in the area of lung transplantation.

Wendy was inspired to become involved in charity work around lung transplantation after receiving a double lung transplant in 2006. She said, “it has since become a key passion and given me a real purpose to focus on, which I believe has helped my longevity.”

Through her roles at the Lungitude Foundation and in sharing her inspirational story, Wendy has helped to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for vital life-saving research which is already having an impact on patient longevity. One of the other achievements she is most proud of is helping to establish Lungitude’s Peer to Peer Support Network for lung transplant patients and their caregivers Australia-wide in collaboration with Lung Foundation Australia.

Wendy emphasised that this award was made possible by the committed and driven people she has around her.

“I’m honoured to receive this award, I also see it as a way to shine a light on the wonderful work being done by the whole Lungitude Foundation team and its generous supporters.”

After receiving her double lung transplant, Wendy initially became an active member of The Margaret Pratt Heart Lung Transplant Trust, serving as the co-chair in the latter years of her involvement.

Following this, Wendy and her husband Gordon founded the Lungitude Foundation, which officially launched in 2017, in collaboration with a group of talented individuals across a wealth of skills and industries.

Wendy was honoured to receive the OAM, and thanked a number of special people in assisting her along the way.

“I couldn’t have done what I have without my wonderful husband Gordon Jenkins who deserves credit and is my biggest supporter and an amazing caregiver, and my wonderful family and friends.

“I’d also like to thank my donor and their family as without their generosity I wouldn’t be here being able to ‘pay it on’ to others. I’d also like to acknowledge the fantastic Lung Transplant Team at The Alfred who continue to support and care for me, and the dedicated Lungitude Board and Committee Members who like me, are passionate about making a difference.”

For more information, contact:
Gordon Jenkins at [email protected] or 0414 414 481
Amanda Lacey at [email protected] or 0418 448 570

Media Contacts:

Name: Amanda LaceyCompany: Lungitude FoundationEmail: Phone: 0418 448 570

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About Lungitude Foundation

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The Lungitude Foundation brings together people who are passionate about lung transplant excellence for patients, primary caregivers and their supporters. Launched in March 2017, Lungitude is a registered Australian charity that advocates for a human (patient) best practice outcome, rather than a health system outcome. What started off as funding research into lung (organ) rejection post transplant, inspired by The Margaret Pratt Foundation, now covers the whole lung transplant journey for both patients and carers. All of the Lungitude Board Members and Committee Members have a lung transplant related story. Our journeys as patients, primary caregivers, family members, friends or industry experts have resulted in a unique collaboration. It is making a real difference. We are proud of what we have achieved to date with your support. We continue to focus on funding and facilitating world-class translational research, advocating for lung transplant excellence, building a strong community of support, and educating key audiences.