Your tax time gift can give people living with lung cancer and lung disease the chance to breathe easier and live longer, better lives.
When Ethan said ‘Mummy, I can’t breathe,’ no one knew why.
Ethan is a bright 11-year-old who dreams of becoming a teacher. He’s thriving at school and loves PE. But behind his big smile is a daily battle with bronchiectasis — a chronic lung disease that damages the lungs and makes it harder to breathe.
For years, Ethan was misdiagnosed. His mother, Lauren, remembers the terrifying nights:
He’d wake up gasping, saying ‘Mummy, I can’t breathe.’ We were desperate for answers. 
It was research that finally gave Ethan the right diagnosis — and a path forward. He now manages his lung disease well.
There is still no cure. But Lauren has hope:
We don’t know what the future holds. That’s why we’re counting on new research breakthroughs to help him live the life he deserves. With your help, a cure could be possible in Ethan's lifetime.
Will you fuel the future of lung research?
The research helping Ethan, Trish and thousands more
Thanks to the generosity of Lung Foundation Australia’s community, $2.01 million was invested in research last year.
One of those projects is already helping people like Trish, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
Led by Dr. Caitlin Fermoyle at the University of Sydney, this groundbreaking project uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse lung scans with speed and precision.
It will help doctors to:
Catch lung disease earlier, giving patients a better chance at long-term health. Predict who needs urgent care, so patients can begin treatment sooner. Prevent irreversible lung damage than can be caused by delayed diagnosis.And this is just the beginning.
With technology accelerating the pace of discovery, now is the moment to invest in research that’s reshaping what’s possible — for Trish, for Ethan and for thousands more.
And for Ethan, it could mean something extraordinary: a future where a cure for bronchiectasis exists.
None of this can happen without you.
Trish was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis just days before her first grandchild - Louis - was born. Her brother had recently undergone a lung transplant, and Trish feared she wouldn’t live to see her grandchild grow up.
But now Trish has hope.
I have real hope for the future. Advances in research are already helping people like me live longer and better — and with so many promising breakthroughs happening now, we could be close to a real game-changer. I keep telling my daughter that I’m determined to be here for my grandson’s 18th birthday. For people with lung disease, research truly does equal hope. 
— Trish, living with pulmonary fibrosis
Our promise to you
Since 1990, Lung Foundation Australia has been leading the fight against lung disease and lung cancer — and thanks to our incredible supporters, that commitment has never been stronger. We’re proud to stand with you, and we’re committed to using your support wisely, transparently, and where it makes the greatest impact.
Last year, thanks to people like you:
We helped over 1 million Australians access resources, support services and programs last year.
We answered 4,262 health-related enquiries and delivered 1,868 nurse or social worker telehealth appointments.
We invested $2.01 million into life-changing lung disease and lung cancer research in 2024 alone.
We put your generosity to work where it matters most.
In 2024, over 80% of our income went directly into funding research, patient support services, education, and advocacy.
We’re proud to be a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), committed to the highest standards of governance, transparency, and care.
Together, we’re changing the future of lung health — and we couldn’t do it without you.
