Robyn Bell

Robyn Bell (nee Waugh) was born in Brisbane in 1944 and spent her childhood years in a number of locations throughout South East Queensland. She began her nursing training in Nambour Hospital and nursed in various places from Cooktown in Far North Queensland to Jeparit in Western Victoria where she held the position of Matron.

In 1971, she met Ray Bell and they married soon afterwards. They raised three daughters: Leigh, Sonya and Anne.

Her husband, Ray, and daughter, Leigh, were diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in the 1980's. When Ray's extended family was screened in the early 1990's, a number of other members of Ray's family were positively diagnosed.

In 1992, she decided to take some steps to try to improve the lot of patients with Cardiomyopathy, and their families. She joined other members of her extended family in forming a group, with the aim of providing information to the medical and wider communities, and to offer support to people with Cardiomyopathy and their families.

Robyn bought herself a second hand computer, and taught herself to use it. She wrote a general letter explaining the formation of the group, and with the help of Professor Michael Frenneaux at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, the letter was posted to cardiologists Australia-wide for distribution to people with the disease. After receiving a number of positive responses from doctors and people with Cardiomyopathy, it was decided to hold a meeting at the Royal Brisbane Hospital to form a committee. Robyn bought a book entitled 'How to Run a Successful Meeting' and from humble beginnings, was soon holding large meetings at the offices of the Heart Foundation.

In 1995, Robyn was diagnosed with breast cancer. She passed away in 1997, aged 52.

Although she may not have achieved all that she had intended to before she became unwell, the establishment of the Association and its continuing success is testament to the hard work performed in the early stages.