Gaylene Crabtree Foundation set up to help rural and regional families with medical costs

For the past two decades, every breath has been a struggle, with each new inhale drawing closer to her last. 

The 57-year-old from Bethungra has a rare lung disease.

Diagnosed 23 years ago, at the birth of her son, Jess, the doctors had originally begun treating her breathing issues as acute asthma.

They later discovered large pockets in her lungs, trapping the oxygen as it’s drawn inward.

Without the circulation to her heart, her blood cannot oxygenate properly.

In the past two years, the disease has begun attacking her white blood cells and weakening her heart.

“It’s always getting worse,” said Mrs Crabtree.

“Eventually, either way, it’ll take my life.”

It is a cruel symmetry, as Mrs Crabtree cared for her brother, Stephen, as the same disease claimed his life almost a year ago.

But now, Mrs Crabtree has partnered with the Amaranth Foundation to see no other family rendered the same pain.

“I’m making a foundation in my name because I want to continue on after I’m gone,” she said.

“I want to help any other families in the same situation, with the same disease, or with any other chronic illness that attacks the vital organs. Especially those who live in rural or regional areas.”

Before the inevitable, Mrs Crabtree and long-term friend Kendall Whyte have started a gofundme site.

The more than $3000 raised in the past two months, has bought Mrs Crabtree’s portable oxygen cylinder. 

“Because I can’t breathe all too well, I can’t do what I like to do. Everything makes me tired, and I can pass out very quickly,” she said.

“Treatment is very expensive. I want to save other families from having to 

Over the next month, Mrs Crabtree will once again journey to Sydney’s St Vincent Hospital to undergo additional heart stress tests. Currently, on the waiting list for a lifesaving lung transplant, Mrs Crabtree is continuing trial dialysis. 

Between treatment trips to Sydney, Mrs Crabtree gains repose at the Bethungra Tea House, which she has owned and operated for the past seven years.

“It’s a community hub, I enjoy seeing everyone happy and relaxed. That makes me happy,” she said.

Mrs Crabtree has lived in Bethungra for the past 17 years, relocating from Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. 

“It was challenging at first, but I’ve grown to love it. I always like the beach, just even knowing it was there was enough,” Mrs Crabtree said.

“When we moved, it was during a drought and really, we’re still in it. This community is always here to help each other, which can be a good and bad thing. You do have to know when to step back a bit.

“I think that’s why I like [the tea house], it’s where people come to enjoy life and forget about work."

The gofundme in honour of Mrs Crabtree and her brother can be found here: https://au.gofundme.com/gaylene-crabtree