Fight MND

AFL training begins this week! Great to see teams back after some time off and starting to prepare for a big 2024 season.

Last Thursday, the FightMND team enjoyed our staff Christmas Party! A celebration of all the hard work over the year. A big thank you to all of our supporters, we couldn't fight the Beast without you.

Gordon, who was diagnosed with MND in 2021, handed over the keys to his wife Tracey to race in the Adelaide Rally last weekend in their 1960s VW Beetle. The couple are showcasing their unique vehicle as a way to raise awareness of MND. So far, the couple have raised over $5,000.

The dynamic duo will also be taking part in the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival this weekend. Well done to Gordon and Tracey!🚙

Click here to donate: https://hub.fightmnd.org.au/fundraise-for-fightmnd/race-for-mnd.

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy (ASOs) is an emerging and exciting area of development for the treatment of MND. Here in Australia, we have a world-leading team in ASOs.

Prof Anthony Akkari and Dr Loren Flynn lead a team at Perron Institute in Perth that are developing a portfolio of antisense oligonucleotides for familial and sporadic MND, from discovery and design, through to clinical trials. They will present our November Scientific Seminar to discuss how their therapies are progressing.

Hear about this exciting research at 12pm AEDT on Tuesday 28th November. To register or learn more about the online seminar, head to www.bit.ly/NovemberScientificSeminar.

Want to hit the road with us for Daniher's Drive in 2024? Join 300 participants on a four-day road trip through regional Victoria, all while raising vital funds and awareness for MND.

To express your interest for 2024, head to the link: https://fightmnd.org.au/danihers-drive/2024-danihers-drive-expression-of-interest/.

Jane Simpson lost her husband to MND 2 years ago. Since then, Jane has been on an (unwanted) mission to bring much needed awareness to this insidious disease.

Jane's podcast, "Let's talk MND" is in conversation with people living with MND and their families, neurologists, allied health practitioners and MND researchers to educate others on the progress and advancing research in the MND space.

Have a listen here: www.spoti.fi/3QJsBsC

Thanks to the incredible efforts of our FightMND family, we are funding 10 innovative genetics projects. 💡

These projects will help us better understand how a person’s genetics contribute to MND, as well as developing genetic therapies targeted at specific MND-linked genes.

Together, we’re changing the future for people living with MND.

Need to grab something from the chemist? Why not join David Neitz down at your local Chemist Warehouse and help us beat the Beast at the same time?

Until November 8, you can find us at the counter of over 400 stores across the nation or donate directly via this link: https://fightmnd.org.au/cwhdonation/ #:~:text=Donate,October%2012th%20to%20November%208th.

Chris Ross was 31 when he was diagnosed with MND. In the first Run For Rossy, Chris rode a marathon. In the second year, Chris had lost all speech and movement.

This year was the first without Chris.

On Sunday, 450 runners ran 5km, 10km, and 15km to "Keep on Livin'" in Chris' honour, raising more than $100,000 for vital MND research and care.

And the team at R4R aren't stopping there! Click here before November 2 to donate or bid on the silent auction: https://www.beatthebeast.me/r4r-2023-silent-auction

A few Saturdays ago, we set out to Shepparton, Colbinabbin, Trentham, with a final stop in Creswick for our iconic annual costume night!

Swipe to see Neale’s dress up, can you guess who he went as?

Robert Burns inspired us with his determination to spread happiness while living with MND. Click to read more about Robert and his family's story.

Coles Express was an essential pit stop for our Daniher’s Drive participants to fill cars and bellies across regional Victoria! Coles Express, Shell

Thank you, Coles for joining us today at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health.

It was great to hear about the latest MND research developments and discoveries from our friends at The Florey and with the support of Coles as a major partner, we are able to invest in cutting-edge research to defeat this Beast of a disease.

Friday was day two of Daniher's Drive.

The day began in Swan Hill before our 50-car convoy rolled into Echuca and Rochester. We then headed to Shepparton for our Comedy and Auction Gala featuring Peter Helliar and Lizzy Hoo!

Thank you to Cmv Truck And Bus for sponsoring our Comedy and Auction Gala event.

October’s Scientific Seminar is just around the corner!

This month we will talk to Professor Paul Talman and Ms Anjali Henders, who will share MND insights about patient registries that help to accelerate clinical discoveries.

Professor Paul Talman from Deakin University oversees MiNDAUS, a patient-centric database that provides a real-time tool for clinicians to monitor patient outcomes. Ms Anjali Henders from University of Queensland, Australia manages SALSA-SGC, a repository of both clinical data and biological samples from Australian MND patients.

🗓️ 24 October, 12pm AEDT

📍 Online

To learn more or to register, visit https://fightmnd.org.au/fightmnd-scientific-seminar-series-2/

On Sunday, over 650 people ran the Melbourne Marathon Festival and chose to raise funds for FightMND. Bryan was a participant and trained for four months.

Bryan went from being able to take 100 steps in the hydro-pool and worked his way up to 2000 steps in preparation for Sunday’s 3km walk. Congratulations Bryan and thank you for raising vital funds for FightMND.

As the major partner of Daniher’s Drive, Chemist Warehouse
are proud to once again join FightMND in the fight against the Beast, that is MND.

Until November 8, head into your local Chemist Warehouse to make an in-store donation at the register. All funds raised to go to vital MND research and care initiatives to improve the lives of people living with MND.

You can donate in any stores nationwide, so head to Chemist
Warehouse online to find a store near you!

Thursday, we began our four-day annual convoy around regional Victoria. The day started at Essendon Football Club's Hangar before we shifted gears and took off to Swan Hill.

Established seven years ago, Daniher's Drive is an opportunity to connect with families impacted by the Beast and put the 'fun' back into fundraising. We are grateful for all the communities, families, and participants who support the Drive each year - whether that be catching up with us along the way, or participating in the Drive itself.

This year we had a convoy of 50 cars and 220 participants!

Thank you to Bayside Coaches for sponsoring night one of the Drive.

That’s a wrap for Daniher’s Drive 2023. What an incredible four days. Together, with all of our fundraising teams and amazing sponsors, we have raised over $2 million for this years Drive. Thank you to each and every person who donated or supported us on the Drive.

Simon Hicks was the Winner of the 2022 Jayco Caravan. Simon lost his mother to MND in 2002, he and his team - Lorna's Cobram Crew - will join us again by attending the annual Daniher's Drive.

There is only 3 days left to enter for your chance to win a 2023 Jayco Caravan! Tickets are $50 and all proceeds go directly towards vital MND research.

Link for raffle tickets: https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=43593&sref=wcub2pph

There is less than one week to go until Daniher's Drive! Do you want win a 2023 Jayco Starcraft Bushpack Caravan, valued at $63,790? Tickets are still up for grabs at $50 each, grab yours before it's too late! All proceeds go directly towards MND research.

Head to this link to buy your ticket today: https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=43593&sref=wcub2pph


*Due to permit conditions, the raffle is open to residents of NSW, TAS, VIC, NT and SA over the age of 18 only, closes on Friday, 13 October 2023 at 11:59PM. NSW - GOCAU/2446, SA/M14417, VIC/1018823

We’re thrilled to share the third research project of our 2023 grant announcements.

Introducing Dr. Adam Walker, FightMND’s Bill Guest mid-career Fellow from University of Queensland, Australia. His discovery project, ‘Oligodendrocytes and TDP-43 pathology in MND ‘, aims to unlock the causes and disease mechanisms of MND.

“This is a completely new project bringing together researchers from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and Auckland to tackle an important under-studied area of MND,” he said.

We are so lucky to support the best and brightest researchers in Australia. Each day we get closer to better understanding and defeating this Beast.

Part of our mission is to connect the best and brightest MND researchers across Australia, and thanks to your support, we are able to do just that.

We’re proud to announce that FightMND has awarded six outstanding Australian researchers funding with scholarships and fellowships.

These awards support the development of the next generation of leaders in MND research.

“I want to extend my gratitude to all the donors and supporters who have granted me the chance to be a part of this battle, striving towards a world where MND no longer poses a threat," said PhD candidate Ms Flora Cheng.

Together, we’re defeating this Beast. 💙

Spring is here and with the warmer weather comes family holidays. Jan, Bec, Billie and Hazel love the spacious Jayco Starcraft Bushpack Caravan with room for everyone. Now is the perfect time to enter the Daniher's Drive raffle for your chance to win this incredible prize, valued at $63,790.

Raffle Tickets here: https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=43593&sref=wcub2pph

Tickets are $50 each and strictly limited. Click the link below and enter the raffle to win, with all money raised going towards vital research to find a cure and rid the world of MND.

Here's a snap of Marco completing his 27 Challenge! Marco has sold over 27kg of his home-made gnocchi on top of his 27 minutes of exercise & raised an incredible $13,000 so far 👏

There's one week left of the 27 Challenge. You can run, walk, cycle, swim, or set your own fitness challenge to raise vital funds for MND research and care. Learn more via the link in our bio.

Of the total $20.2 million we're investing into MND research and care in 2022, $3.67 million is committed to caring for people with MND and their families.

Since 2017, FightMND has invested $10.49 million into vital assistive equipment to help improve the lives of Australians living with MND. This year, we're expanding this care to include education initiative projects and building support groups.

The remaining $16.5 million is being invested into research to find treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.

At FightMND we know it takes people to beat this Beast - and we truly are doing this together. Thank you for all your support.

The September Scientific Seminar will be given by our inaugural FightMND Early Career Research Fellow Dr Rebecca San Gil, from the University of Queensland, Australia.

Dr San Gil has been looking at patterns of protein expression in the brain during early disease development, trying to understand how MND changes the brain. Dr San Gil will take us through a map she has created of protein expression in the brain of MND models and preserved human tissue. How this map changes over time can give us clues into how to treat MND.

Join us on Sept 26th at 12pm AEST to hear from an up-and-coming researcher. For more information or to register visit https://fightmnd.org.au/fightmnd-scientific-seminar-series/

Introducing the first of our 2023 grant recipients.

Thanks to your incredible support, Professor Steve Vucic from the University of Sydney has been awarded funding to lead an Australian clinical trial together with neurologists in Italy. The trial will test a repurposed drug, ALCAR, to see if it can slow down disease progression in people with MND.

“This trial provides real treatment hope for patients living with MND,” said Steve.

Together, we are fighting the Beast.

We recently announced our $20.2 million investment into MND research and care in 2023.

Of this $20.2 million, $16.5 million is being invested into ‘Cure’ research to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for MND.

This includes clinical trials, drug development projects, discovery research projects, IMPACT grants, research fellowships, and more.

We are proud to say this brings our Cure investment for MND research since 2014 to $84.9 million.

We truly couldn’t do this without the incredible support of our FightMND Army.

Together we’re changing the future for people living with MND and their families. 💙

Stay tuned for Care investment updates.

Get ready for an electrifying evening of glamour and fun at our eagerly awaited annual costume gala!

🎥 Held in Creswick, this year's Hollywood Night features live music by the Baker Boys Band and a 2-course meal and beverage package.

For more info or to purchase your tickets, head to 👉
https://give.fightmnd.org.au/dd-hollywood

See you there!

Today we're spotlighting an incredible member of our FightMND Army!

Last weekend Archie ran 27kms as part of our 27 Challenge to raise money for MND research. Supported by friends, family, teachers, and his running coach, he was able to complete his run in just over two hours. What an achievement!

On the day he broke his own fundraising record and raised $6,873, bringing his total MND fundraising over the years to a whopping $20,000.

Congratulations Archie. Thank you for helping us take further strides in our battle against the Beast.

Over half of all Australians do not have a valid Will – are you one of them?

As part of their support for FightMND, Safewill would like to offer FightMND supporters the opportunity to write their Will for free. Whilst making a Will online may not be for everyone, thousands more Australians have been able to write a valid Will within the comfort of their own home.
After looking after your family and loved ones, you may wish to leave a Gift in your Will to FightMND and join the fight against MND. A gift in your Will towards causes you care about is a powerful way to ensure your legacy lives on.

By joining us in the fight against MND, you become part of a community driven by a singular purpose – a world free of MND.
Get started and you can prepare your Will today free of charge. This offer is valid until Sunday 17th September 2023.

Head to www.safewill.com/fightmnd to get started and prepare your Will today free of charge. For more information contact Melissa at [email protected]

Come support FightMND and experience the fun of Daniher’s Drive!

🎭 The Comedy and Auction Gala night in Shepparton features performances by Peter Helliar and Lizzy Hoo, and a 3-course meal and beverage package.

Sponsored by CMV Truck & Bus and CMV Staff Foundation, the night is bound to be full of laughter and great prizes.

For more info or to purchase your tickets, head to 👉https://give.fightmnd.org.au/dd-comedy

This year we are investing $20.2 million into MND research and care.

This brings our total investment since 2014 to $95.37 million.

Of the $20.2 million invested this year, $16.54 million will be committed to vital MND research projects including clinical trials, drug development projects, and projects to identify the cause of MND.

We are also committing $3.67 million into care support grants, which includes the creation of educational resources, and providing assistive equipment and support services.

It is thanks to our incredible FightMND Army that we are able to take critical steps towards finding a cure and living in a world free of MND. We are so grateful for your support – thank you for going ‘all in’.

Stay tuned for research and care updates. 💙