The founder of Tasmanian youth organisation JCP, Will Smith, has revealed the cause of a “significant heart attack” that left him in the intensive care unit.
After his admission to Launceston General Hospital last Friday, Smith has shared that his health battle was triggered by a heart infection he “unknowingly contracted overseas”.
“Life’s definitely a journey. 6 days ago I was fit, healthy and feeling 100%,” Smith shared from his hospital bed on Wednesday.
“I managed to drive myself to the LGH. My family were called in after my heart function dropped below 5% and things weren’t looking good by Saturday. I don’t have much memory from there – but I was airlifted to Melbourne and I’ve been in ICU at the Royal Alfred since.”
He said doctors had to “cut out” a bit of his heart, but is “now able to breathe without the help of a machine”.
“Unfortunately it’s going to be a bit of a road back to full health but I’m stoked to say I’ve made some pretty significant improvements. Doctors are very impressed.”
“My current goal is to try and get admitted into the hospital and out of ICU so I can get stuck into my recovery.”
Today also happens to be Smith’s birthday and he says he has a “fair bit to celebrate”.
“I am eternally grateful for my family, the staff at the Royal Alfred, LGH and also the Police Association of Tasmania for their support of my family.”
“I really miss my young people at JCP Youth, I’m thankful to our amazing team and I can’t wait to come back to Tassie when I’m allowed.”
Beloved Tasmanian Will Smith hospitalised after suffering ‘significant heart attack’
Beloved local ‘legend’ and former recipient of the Young Tasmanian Australian of the Year award Will Smith has been hospitalised following a “serious medical episode”.
Smith had just returned to his home in the north of the state after working in Hobart when he “suffered a significant heart attack” last week, his family wrote online.
“He was able to drive himself to the hospital and collapsed before, thankfully receiving life saving care at the LGH.”
They said Will was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he remains in ICU and is undergoing procedures to determine the cause of his heart attack.
“He has stabilised but he is not out of the woods yet, he is awake and talking.”
“He wants every one to know he is sorry he is unable to be contacted, that he’s a beast and he will be back soon.”
“The hospital are indicating he could be hospitalised for weeks or months.”
A former Tasmania Police officer, Smith was awarded the title of Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year in 2020 for his ‘desire to help disadvantaged young people’.
He also established the JCP Empowering Youth program, which enables successful leaders to help improve the lives of young people, through school, leadership and community programs.
The Deloraine Kangaroos Football Club is among the countless well-wishers for Will, saying: “Will has been an absolute rock for our football club and the footy community as a whole and his work with youth in this state is inspiring to us all.”
“We are all as one in hoping for a speedy recovery to this wonderful man.”
