Who we are

Every year thousands of people are impacted by illnesses and trauma from injuries. The impact of this on people is unimaginable as they begin to struggle to adapt to a life without the function they once had. The loss of hope, the loss of identity, the loss of every day functioning makes adjustment to this new unplanned life difficult.

Our work as dedicated volunteers is to help restore hope, identity, form and function to people who have been impacted by raising funds for the O’Brien Foundation who support the O’Brien Institute Department of St. Vincent’s Institute.

The O’Brien Institute, which was established in 1970, is a world leader in Medical Research for micro-surgery procedures to help people impacted by illnesses and trauma obtained from injuries.  Specifically, some of the Institute’s research looks at replacing or repairing tissues and organs through Vascular Biology, Lymphatic and Regenerative Surgery, Cardiac Regeneration, and Adipose Tissue Engineering.  

It is hoped that the funds raised by the Hummingbirds, Hummingbird Groups and the O’Brien Foundation will ensure that this research continues beyond that of which is supported by government grants. Importantly, the continuation of this research will help restore hope, identity, form and function to those who have been impacted by injury or illness. 

Peter’s Story

“It’s virtually a normal hand now, I can do lots of normal things, not just my buttons!”

After Peter lost his two limbs to septicaemia, the team from O’Brien Institute and St Vincent’s Hospital used their microsurgery skills to replace his right hand with a donor transplant (the first-hand transplant in Australia).

Your support of the O’Brien Foundation will help support further research