More than two decades ago a Cairns citizen would have needed to travel hundreds, maybe thousands, of kilometres to receive certain medical treatment residents of other cities could access locally.
Much of that reality has now changed thanks in large part to the mammoth efforts of a plucky and enterprising Far North Queensland charity, and its army of donors and volunteers.
Over two decades the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation has raised more than $32m to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Far North residents.
The foundation's CEO Gina Hogan and fundraising manager Glenys Duncombe join me to explain how millions of dollars are raised and spent each year to change lives, maybe yours, for the better.