A 21-year-old Brisbane childcare worker who was airlifted by LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) after being bitten by an eastern brown snake while sleeping will now help others.
In an inspirational twist, Kasey Leadbetter was last night announced as the inaugural First Minutes Matter ambassador to promote free trauma training.
She was joined by family, friends and 700 LifeFlight supporters who dressed to impress at The Goods Shed to celebrate LifeFlight Australia’s 45-year legacy at the sold-out LifeFlight annual Toowoomba gala.
The Darling Downs charity-event-of-the year presented by Followmont Transport, raised a record-breaking $1 million.
The former Glenmorgan nanny shared the terrifying moment in January when one of Australia’s deadliest snakes slithered under her bedsheets.
Ms Leadbetter explained how textbook trauma training significantly improved her medical outcome before the LifeFlight Rescue helicopter arrived.
“Everyone can benefit from trauma training,” Ms Leadbetter said.
“If people know what to do after a medical emergency, they can help themselves or someone they love before help arrives.
“As soon as the snake bit me, my whole arm was on fire. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I knew I had to keep still. I knew I had to stay calm. I knew I had to get away from the snake and we had to get the pressure bandage on quickly.”
Being airlifted by LifeFlight meant she was in hospital three times faster than if she’d been taken by road in an ambulance.
“I knew that if you are bitten by an eastern brown snake, you really only have about 30 minutes to an hour to get medical help,” Ms Leadbetter said.
“I knew I didn’t have a lot of time. I was thinking: ‘am I going to have enough time?’ so when I heard that LifeFlight was on the way I knew I was going to get to a hospital in time.
“The LifeFlight crew were amazing, but I was also lucky I knew what to do in my medical emergency.”
The Toowoomba-based LifeFlight Surat Gas Aeromedical Service (SGAS) helicopter aeromedical team landed on the remote property 300km west of Toowoomba to retrieve Kasey from the Glenmorgan cattle station she was working at and flew her to Toowoomba Hospital.
Tasked by Queensland Health, the LifeFlight SGAS helicopter and crew performed this mission as part of the SGAS partners’ commitment to providing community aeromedical coverage.
“Without LifeFlight, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
The incredibly generous LifeFlight Toowoomba Gala crowd splashed their cash on $300 tickets to celebrate the critical role the LifeFlight aeromedical service plays in the region and toasted to the talented Toowoomba team in a night of fine wine, dining, dancing, auctions and raffles.
One lucky local won a stunning 6ct forest green-hued tourmaline gemstone ring set in 18k yellow and white gold surrounded in tri-clusters of kite-cut diamonds valued at $21,000 in the Hogans Family Jewellers, balloon pop.
Regional Advisory Committee Chair Gus Romero, thanked the organising committee, Gala partners, and local guests for their support.
“We couldn’t put on a night like this without the tremendous generosity of the volunteers who organise it, local businesses who support it and those who buy tickets and then try to out-bid each other all evening,” Mr Romero said.
“Our Toowoomba LifeFlight base is the busiest in Queensland and the money raised tonight will ensure it continues to thrive.”
Mr Romero announced the full-time appointment of First Minutes Matter educator Leah Harrison who started trauma training workshops in the Darling Downs and South West Queensland communities last month.
Her wages and car were both funded by money raised at last year’s LifeFlight Gala. You can read more about Leah here.
Previous pledges have been used to buy life-saving equipment including night-vision goggles and special cots for infants. This year’s pledge will support a much-needed, upgraded on-site sleeping facility for the local aeromedical teams which will ensure even faster arrivals at future medical emergencies.
LifeFlight would like to thank the following supporters and sponsors:
Presenting Partner: Followmont Transport. Entertainment Partner: iOR. Platinum Sponsors: G&K Lawson Constructions, Ventia, Savanna Energy Services, National Transport Insurance, Pickles Mining, Morpheus Energy Services, SubZero Airconditioning Installation & Services, Daimler Trucks Toowoomba, Russell Mineral Equipment, MPC Kinetic, Shine Lawyers.
Major Prize sponsors: Black Truck and AG, Barham Chiropractic, Hogans Family Jewellers, Harvey Norman. Silver Sponsors: Ensign. Print Partners: Greenridge Group. Graphic Design Partner: Kingfisher. Media Partner: The Toowoomba Chronicle, Bishopp.
Save a Life Partners include iOR, Harvey Norman Commercial Toowoomba, Western Truck Group, Robertson Scannel, Newlands Civil Construction Pty Ltd, Steve & Wendy Roche, NRG Services, K S Easter Transport, Wilson’s Panel Works & Towing, Compliant Asset Rentals, Count Charitable Foundation.
We were so grateful to past patients, Cooper and Bellah for also sharing their stories at the LifeFlight Toowoomba Gala in May.
