Darwin teacher Chris Garner thought he was having an asthma attack in August 2021 when his lung suddenly collapsed. CareFlight immediately flew him for specialist surgery at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The crucial moments in between the incident, being rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital for a quick procedure and being flown by CareFlight to the Royal Adelaide Hospital is what saved Chris’ life.
“I woke up in the Intensive Care Unit and had no idea how I got there, when my wife said it was CareFlight I burst into tears,” Chris remembers.
“I used to think CareFlight was an organisation that only serviced the rural and remote parts of the Territory, I didn’t realise someone like me who lives in the heart of Darwin city would need their help,” Chris said.
Chris spent over three months in hospital in both Adelaide and Darwin, and had a number of surgeries.
Nine months later, and as part of his rehab, Chris is fighting fit and raising funds for the aeromedical crew that saved his life by walking 180 kilometres in CareFlight’s Territory Challenge.
Chris and his family have registered a team in CareFlight’s Territory Challenge, a month-long fitness challenge where participants run, walk, ride or swim to raise funds for CareFlight.
With just under a week left in the Territory Challenge event, Chris is sharing his story to encourage the community to raise funds that will help save more lives and keep families like his together.
Watch the video as Chris reunites with the crew who saved his life and donate to his mission at CareFlight Territory Challenge.
