Former Queensland Senator the Hon Ron Boswell AO knows the terrifying reality of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) all too well.
What started as routine knee replacement surgery about five years ago quickly escalated into a life-threatening battle when Mr Boswell aspirated fluid, triggering severe ARDS. This led to pneumonia, kidney and lung failure and multiple admissions to the Intensive Care Unit at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital.
For four gruelling months, Mr Boswell was covered in tubes and drains as inflammatory fluid flooded his lungs, cutting off oxygen and pushing him to the brink.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I wouldn’t have lived unless I got that absolutely fantastic treatment at St Andrew’s (War Memorial Hospital),” said Mr Boswell.
“It was nearly the end of me, but the ICU team led by Professor John Fraser AO, saved me not once, but twice.”
Under the expert care of Professor Fraser, Mr Boswell made a remarkable recovery. Determined not to begin another year in hospital, he walked out on New Year’s Day, with a perfectly functioning new knee and a profound gratitude for the second chance at life.
“All the doctors and nurses at St Andrew’s did a terrific job and I am exceptionally grateful to them all.”
That extra time has been priceless. Mr Boswell has treasured visits with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Western Australia and even channelled his experiences into writing a memoir, He’s Not Pretty But He’s Pretty Effective.
Now Mr Boswell is proudly supporting groundbreaking new ARDS research at St Andrew’s and The Wesley Hospital, funded by Wesley Research Institute and led by some of Brisbane’s finest critical care specialists.
Associate Professor Jeremy Cohen, Deputy Director of Intensive Care, heads the research team exploring a newly identified mechanism called Biofluid-Induced Lung Injury (BILI). This process sees inflammatory fluid spread rapidly through the lungs like dye in a sponge, damaging healthy tissue and worsening the condition.
Joining Associate Professor Cohen are two highly regarded researchers, Intensive Care Specialist Associate Professor Gianluigi Li Bassi, who brings more than 200 publications in respiratory critical care, and Visiting Research Fellow Dr Francesco Baccoli.
Together with Professor John Fraser AO, Clinical Director of the Queensland Spatial Biology Centre (QSBC), they are conducting a world-first human pilot study.
Using minimally invasive sampling and advanced analysis techniques such as flow cytometry and proteomics, the team aims to validate BILI and develop practical ways to contain it, from optimised patient positioning and ventilation strategies to potential new drug targets.
After 50 years without a specific cure for ARDS, this project offers fresh hope.
“Brisbane is taking the lead. Backing this work is essential,” said Mr Boswell.
“Wesley Research Institute delivers world-class innovation in critical care – it merits strong support.”
Mr Boswell’s powerful story as both a survivor and a former long-serving Senator highlights the urgent need for this research, which could save thousands of lives and reduce the massive strain on Australia’s healthcare system.
Learn more about the WRI lead research study.