Jasmine Fuhlbohm raises $7000 for Mackay defibrillators after dad’s death

A North Queensland family was thrown into a lurch when a healthy, non-smoking father of three went to sleep and never woke up. Now his daughter is determined to save others repeating their pain.

Jasmine Fuhlbohm with her dad Jamie Fuhlbohm. Picture: Contributed

A North Queensland family was thrown into a lurch when a healthy, non-smoking father of three went to sleep and never woke up.

Jasmine Fuhlbohm said she was 10 when her dad suffered a fatal heart attack at age 39 while he was staying at a mining camp, something he did routinely as part of his refrigerator business.

“It was a massive shock to our family, he had no known health issues,” Ms Fuhlbohm said.

“God he loved us kids … and he loved and cherished my mum so much, he worshipped the ground she walked on.”

Ms Fuhlbohm said life was complicated after losing her dad, with neither of her parents having taken out life insurance, forcing them to lean on family members to get by.

Mackay father Jamie Fuhlbohm with his wife Lisa and their kids (from left): Jasmine, Katie and Dean. Picture: Contributed

She later learned her dad was having mild chest pains a fortnight before he died but he “stubborn(ly)” put his priorities behind everybody else.

Ms Fuhlbohm said while her father’s death was difficult, she wanted to save other families from repeating their pain and so set about raising more than $7000 to buy three defibrillators for the Mackay region, including the Pioneer Sports Association.

She said it was an “incredible feeling” to pull the feat off, which included hosting a raffle through her work at Magpies Sporting Club, and it was “heartwarming” to know she may prevent someone losing a mother, father, grandparent, or sibling.

Mackay Regional Council incumbent mayor Greg Williamson presenting Jasmine Fuhlbohm with the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year Award. Picture: Contributed

Mackay Regional Council has recognised Ms Fuhlbohm’s efforts by presenting her with the 2024 Young Citizen of the Year award with incumbent mayor Greg Williamson describing her as an “exceptional” person who helped making the region safer and healthier.

Ms Fuhlbohm said she hoped her story would help challenge the stigma that heart attacks only happened to unhealthy or older people.

“If you have anything, definitely something heart-related, don’t ignore it, get it checked out,” she pleaded.

Read who else was honoured in the council’s 2024 Australia Day Awards here.