Zoe Kennedy Foundation
THE ZOE KENNEDY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRESSIVE RESEARCH INTO TEENAGE ASTHMA AWARENESS, MANAGEMENT, PREVENTION AND POTENTIAL ERADICATION.
The Zoe Kennedy Memorial Fund was established by Figurehead in 2020.
Zoe, the daughter of our colleague, friend and loyal Construction Manager, Lach Kennedy, was a caring, energetic and much loved 13 year old. Despite being a severe asthmatic from birth, this exceptionally sporty young girl was also a talented and skilled netball player – a rising star.
In June 2020, Zoe suffered an acute asthma attack and was rushed to hospital where she was immediately placed on life-support. Four days later, the Kennedy family were devastated to learn that Zoe would not recover.
In partnership with Asthma Australia, Figurehead have established the Zoe Kennedy Foundation.
“The Foundations purpose is to fund ongoing research into critical preventative measures, honouring our own bright young life cut short; with a specific focus on awareness around the increased risk of asthma for teenagers”. Joe Grasso Managing Director | Figurehead
ASTHMA IN AUSTRALIA
- 1 in 9 Australians are affected by asthma (that’s 2.7 million people)
- 11.2% of all Australians have asthma
- Indigenous Australians are 1.9x as likely to report having asthma compared to non-indigenous Australians.
- In 2017-18 38,792 Australians were hospitalised with asthma
- 44% of asthma related hospitalisations were children aged 0-4 years.
- Approximately 80% of asthma hospitalisations are preventable
- 436 people died from asthma in 2019
ASTHMA AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP
“We are dedicated to contributing vital asthma research to realise our vision of a world without asthma.” – Michele Goldman CEO | Asthma Australia.
Figurehead chose to partner with Asthma Australia, a for-purpose, consumer organisation committed to improving the lives of people with asthma. Establishing the Figurehead Asthma Research Program, our goal is to better understand severe asthma, especially in children and teenagers, investigating better treatment options, prevention strategies and an eventual cure.
The Zoe Kennedy Foundation will sponsor a three year Figurehead PhD Scholarship and two year Post-Doctoral Research Grant. Both initiatives, shortlisted and selected in conjunction with Asthma Australia by Figurehead, will support well defined and reasoned research projects aimed at producing genuine benefit for people living with asthma.
FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES
The Zoe Kennedy Foundation is supported by a schedule of on-going internal fundraising activities and external charity events.
The broader community is invited to support a number of organised charity events, including The Zoe Kennedy Tribute day, a football match between Newtown and Bell Park, where Zoe played netball for Newtown, and, Lach was a long time member of the Bell Park football team, and The Zoe Kennedy Cup, an 18 hole golf challenge. Zoe Kennedy Asthma Awareness Day, a Free Dress day at a number of local Geelong schools is run during Asthma Week in early September to raise funds and generate awareness for the cause among young people. Running BBQ’s on site, staff meeting raffles and various morning teas; all of our internal fundraising money continues to go towards the Foundation.