Scotty Sentance needs our help

Scott is facing one of the biggest challenges of his life and urgently needs a double lung transplant. Scott was diagnosed with a respiratory illness in 2021, which has progressed to pulmonary fibrosis in 2024, which is a terminal disease. Scott needs constant pulmonary rehabilitation to keep him well enough to have a transplant and regular visits to Brisbane to meet with the transplant team. At the moment his lung capacity is at 40%.

Scott’s treatment is at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, the purpose of this fundraiser is to raise money for Scott and his family to travel to Brisbane and to relocate in Brisbane following the transplant, also to meet ongoing medical expenses and living costs. This treatment will take Scott away from his family, community and will face significant financial pressure as Scott was the main income earner in this family and is no longer able to work, putting a massive strain on his family. In addition, he will need a full-time carer soon, which means his wife Terese will no longer be able to work either.

Uncle Scotty is an Aboriginal Elder from Wiradjuri Country and one of the most community minded people we have. Uncle Scotty has resided in the Byron Shire for 40 years and has lived in Mullumbimby for 35 of those years. Scott has worked at Mullumbimby Highschool since 2006, as an Aboriginal Education Officer and also working with special education. Over this time, Uncle has co-ordinated the Deadly Dancers and Muggi Jarjums, which include aboriginal students from Mullum High and the surrounding primary schools to develop their interest in the culture, traditions, and lore of the Bundjalung Nation. Uncle Scotty has won many Byron Shire awards over the years – Aboriginal Educator of the year and Community Leader, Scott also won an Educational Award for Mullumbimby High for the programs he ran at local schools. Uncle Scotty has also volunteered for the Mullumbimby community, painting and attending events in the local community and has spent decades sharing his wisdom, advocating for students, and empowering local aboriginal youth through identity and education and has had a lasting impact on all that know him. Uncle Scotty played for the Brunswick Valley Soccer team for 11 years, played Oz-tag in Mullumbimby and also coached the Brunswick Valley U14 AFL to victory. Scott and his wife Terese have raised 7 boys in Mullumbimby and have done high needs fostering for aboriginal children over the last 20 years.

Your donation will give Uncle and his family the chance to breath a bit easier, concentrate on getting better and returning to aboriginal education, guiding, and inspiring the next generation of local Aboriginal students.