Monday 11th November, 2008.

It was a big moment for southern Queensland farmer John Coggan.  Against the backdrop of a golden wheat harvest he handed over the funds Australians have raised for vital organ transplant research at Brisbane’s Prince Charles Hospital.

Just over three years ago he was fighting for his life in the Prince Charles Hospital.  The medical team didn’t expect him to live but time and again rushed to his bedside to revive him. A life saving heart transplant put John back on his feet and back in the paddock.  “I’m thankful every day for every new moment I have.  Being an organ recipient is very humbling because you realise your joy has come from someone else’s grief.” 

Grateful for his new lease on life John and his family regularly contribute to the research program being conducted by the medical team that defied the odds to save him. Then in June this year they set about raising extra research funds by racing the clock to set a Guinness World Record for planting the largest paddock of wheat in the world, 905 hectares, in just 24 hours.

The feat on their property “Enarra”, between Westmar and Meandarra, captured the imagination of Australian mums and dads who joined corporate sponsors such as Landmark, John Deere and Chesterfield Australia, Rabobank, Simplicity Australia, Multi Farming Systems, and the Queensland Country Life to donate to the worthy cause.

On Tuesday the 11th of November, exactly five months since the Coggan family planted the first seed, John Coggan handed over the fundraising cheque for $75,000.00 to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation for the Critical Care Research Group. “This really is a case of reaping what you sow,” he smiled as he expressed his sincere thanks for the amazingly generous support they received.

Mr Coggan tells the story of walking into Darling Downs Tarpaulins to pick up three tarps for his grain storage.  Owner Max Brady asked him if the tarps would cover some of the Guinness World Record planted wheat.  When John said they would, Max Brady immediately donated $5,691, the cost of one tarp, to the cause.  That was on top of the $2,237 he’d already spent buying a tray of avocadoes donated and auctioned over the radio by the Brassey family during the world record planting attempt. Max Brady says he’s felt compelled to respond to Coggan’s story.  “We all know the importance of medical research but when you see a real live bloke like John back up and about doing farmers hours it really underscores the importance of this research.”

“The work they’ve done at the hospital has allowed John to continue making a major contribution to feeding the world.  We tend to take farmers for granted but let’s be blunt, take too many John Coggans out of the system and the world starves,” says Mr Brady.

Director of the Critical Care Research Group, Doctor John Fraser, says the $75,000 dollars raised is a major injection for their research program which is developing a totally implantable artificial heart (BiVACOR) and working towards improving the lives of heart and lung transplant recipients across Australia and the rest of the world. “It is an exciting time for the development of our BiVACOR, and this money will enable us to start our trials in the very near future.” Dr Fraser says while the fundraising is fantastic, even more important is the message that John Coggan has conveyed to Australia regarding the difference one organ donor can make to so many people.

“People have spoken to me amazed that a heart transplant can convert a bed bound man into a workaholic farmer, with more energy than men 20 years his junior!  Several people confided they had never seen the point of being an organ donor, but hearing John's story was the impetus they had needed to join the donor's list.” With a grin Dr Fraser shakes his head.  “Who would have thought three and a half years ago that the man whom hundreds worked to save in hospital would lead an endeavour that would promote world class research and increase the number of organ donors to boot. This process truly embodies the Australian spirit, represented by a man, his family and community, coming together to work for a better outcome for the critically ill,” says Dr Fraser.

Chief Executive Officer of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, Ms Kate Ashton, says she is thrilled with the way the Coggan family has raised the profile of organ donation and medical research. Ms Aston says The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation is extremely proud to have provided funding to support the development of an implantable artificial heart since 2006.

“As the Coggans themselves know, donor organs are in short supply and the money raised through their world record achievement will help to continue funding for this amazing device which may one day replace the need for heart transplants. This partnership has the potential to make a huge difference to the quality of life for people who might otherwise have been stuck in a hospital bed waiting for a transplant. As John Coggan has shown, there’s so much more to life than that!”

The fundraising cheque has been handed over but the hard work is far from completed for the Coggan family.  As one of Queensland’s largest grain producers they have a total of 10,900 hectares (27,000 acres) to harvest.

Climbing back into the header to get on with the job John Coggan is all smiles.  “This is the best crop we’ve had in 30 years.  It sure feels good to be alive.”