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Free Check-Up For Iron Overload
Project Date: August 2007
The free onsite check-up, led by world renowned researcher Professor John Olynyk, recognised the Austal workforce’s ongoing participation in the Fremantle Doctor Lottery, which has raised more than $30,000 towards the Foundation’s research into Haemachromatosis.
Hereditary Haemachromatosis is a condition in which the body takes in too much iron and affects one in 200 Australians and can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and cancer.
Each week, Austal employees have the chance to win up to $500 by donating a few dollars from their wages to enter the Lottery. Austal as a company then matches these donations each week.
Austal Chief Operating Officer Steve Murdoch said the amount raised for the Foundation’s research was an achievement that the Austal workforce should be proud of.
“Iron overload is a significant condition in Australia, so it is great that our staff have been able to contribute towards this important research,” Mr Murdoch said.
Fremantle Hospital Medical Research Foundation Manager Angela van Dongen said the continued support of Austal allowed this valuable research to continue.
“The $30,000 raised by Austal so far has allowed the Foundation to find out the significance of the interaction between the two genes in Haemachromatosis,” Ms van Dongen said.
"Fremantle Hospital is one of the world leaders in this type of research, and it is significant that we have teamed with a company that is also recognised as a world leader in its field,” she said.
"Today’s visit reinforces the strong relationship between Austal and the Foundation, which we hope will continue into the future.”
The researchers were taken on a tour of Austal’s Henderson shipyard as part of the visit.
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