Close Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
  • Competition
  • Home New
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Sunday, July 6
Facebook X (Twitter)
MPNEWSMPNEWS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Home New
Breaking News
MPNEWSMPNEWS
Home»News»Former MP takes breath and readies for swim
News

Former MP takes breath and readies for swim

By MP News GroupDecember 23, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
LUNG transplant recipient Tony Hyams is planning to swap his bike for bathers opn Boxing Day to participate in the 1.2 kilometre Pt Leo swim classic. Picture: Supplied
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
LUNG transplant recipient Tony Hyams is planning to swap his bike for bathers opn Boxing Day to participate in the 1.2 kilometre Pt Leo swim classic. Picture: Supplied

FORMER Dromana MP Tony Hyams is saying thanks to doctors who gave him a double lung transplant by swimming in the Pt Leo Classic on Boxing Day.

The 74-year-old is tackling the 1.2 kilometre swim to raise money for research into lung disease in the knowledge that he was saved from a rare and potentially fatal lung disease four years ago.

Money raised will go to clinical and research work at the world-recognised respiratory unit at The Alfred Hospital to support those suffering from lung disease. The target is $20,000.

“The staff’s work at The Alfred is amazing; it’s like science fiction,” Mr Hyams said.

“Their post lung-transplantation survival rates are the world’s best with 96 per cent after one year and 74 per cent after five years.

“Sadly, lung disease is massively underfunded; it is often neglected and misunderstood.”

Mr Hyams said his decision to swim was also to show his gratitude to friends and family who supported him over the past four years.

If poor weather interferes with the Point Leo swim Mr Hyams will go for the 1.5km Portsea Swim Classic on 18 January. If possible, he’ll do both.

“I only really got back into training this year,” he said. “I enjoy it so much. I’ve had some lessons and got back some technique.”

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible with all money going to the respiratory unit. “Most people never think about their lungs, taking for granted the fact that we breathe about 22,000 times every day,” Mr Hyams said.

“It came as a complete surprise to me and my family when I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

“We learnt that one in four people in Australia are affected by some kind of lung disease. From this point my journey with IPF took off in earnest, leading eventually to a double lung transplant.

“From my experiences along the way, I have learned that lung disease tends to be a poorly neglected and under-funded area of medical focus. There seem to be fewer funds allocated, less research and less available knowledge than with many other human disease areas.

“My aim is to assist by raising funds for, and building awareness of, IPF and other lung diseases through the Lungitude Foundation, by voluntary speaking engagements, mentoring and support of patient care.”

Donations to lungitude.com.au/campaigns/tony-hyams/

First published in the Western Port Times – 25 December 2019

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Advocates celebrate abuse law change

July 3, 2025

Railway station scam

July 1, 2025

Flinders result unaffected by poll blunder – AEC

July 1, 2025

Grand Hotel’s tower revamp signals new chapter for icon

June 26, 2025
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Peninsula Essence Magazine – Click to Read
Peninsula Kids Magazine – Click to Read
Letters to the Editor
Property of the Week

14 Bass Street, McCrae

June 3, 2025
Council Watch

Shire secures $3.9m to tackle road safety

June 16, 2025

Kinder flyer flag snub prompts councillors to take over

June 10, 2025
100 Years Ago This Week

Baxter – On The ‘Wallaby’ with a walking group

July 1, 2025
Interview

Firefighter shows skills from sea to snow

February 5, 2024
Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Home New
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook X (Twitter)
© 2025 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.