Our History
History Of The Lung Warrior
The Lung Warrior Incorporated was founded following a deeply personal experience by its President, Madison Dobels. In 2019, Madison gave birth to her second son, TeKoa Timu, at just 26 weeks. Since birth, TeKoa has spent much of his life in and out of hospital due to severe lung-related conditions and complications. It was during this time that Madison identified a significant gap in the support systems available to families like hers.
Now six years old, TeKoa remains on home oxygen and is tube-fed, continuing to face daily battles just to breathe. His older brother has since been diagnosed with PTSD, stemming from the traumatic and unavoidable events associated with TeKoa’s condition.
As a mother of two boys—often separated by hospital walls—Madison found herself juggling the immense demands of caregiving, all while trying to navigate life in between. It was through these moments of fear, isolation, and uncertainty that she felt a calling to help other families walking a similar path. Her vision became clear: to offer the kind of support she wished had been available to her.
The Lung Warrior Incorporated was named in honour of TeKoa—whose name includes “Koa,” meaning 'warrior' in Hawaiian. In 2021, the organisation's board was formally established, comprising of dedicated committee members.
The Lung Warrior became an Incorporated Association in August 2021 and was officially registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) in 2023.
As a newly established organisation based in Western Australia, The Lung Warrior Incorporated is committed to supporting children living with lung conditions and their families. Our mission is to provide compassionate, practical assistance both during hospital stays and throughout the transition back into the community.
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