ANNE WEBSTER, MEMBER FOR MALLEE
ON Australia Day in 2019, Scott Umback, the picture of health and fitness and father of two young sons, lost his life to an undiagnosed and completely unexpected heart condition.
Scott was a leader in the community and the husband of Katrina, whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with recently.
Even after investigation and undergoing several tests, Scott was never offered an angiogram, which is the best way to screen for coronary artery disease. The reason? Because the service is not available in Mildura.
His only option would have been to travel nearly 600km to Melbourne for the procedure. An angiogram could have diagnosed Scott’s heart condition and may have saved his life.
Ever since this tragedy occurred, Katrina has devoted herself to promoting heart health and exploring the possibility of establishing a new cardiac service in Mildura.
This month Katrina is leading a team of more than 30 locals, who are walking or running 42.2km to raise awareness and funds for The Heart Foundation.
The team, called Show Some Ticker for Scotty, has raised close to $8000 so far. I am impressed by Katrina’s resolve and commitment to make sure others do not lose a loved one to this preventable disease.
Access to high-quality health care in regional and rural areas has always been a key priority for me. I am pleased to support Katrina with her goal to establish a cath lab angiogram service in Mildura.
There are, on average 230 people from Mildura, many of who must travel by air ambulance to Melbourne for an angiogram. Local and timely access to this procedure will naturally mean more people will seek to undergo an angiogram for preventative and acute reasons, leading to lives being saved.
These discussions are ongoing and I will continue this work with Katrina to address this essential health care need for our region.
Donate to Katrina’s fundraiser at www.mymarathon.com.au/fundraiser/katrinaumback.
