UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) has welcomed the support of the MND and Me Foundation in its quest to improve the understanding of Motor Neuron Disease (MND).
Founder of the Foundation Scott Sullivan contributed $50,000 to QBI’s research into finding a cure for the disease that affects 1,400 Australians – himself included.
“After I was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, we established MND and Me to help contribute financially to finding a cure,” he said.
“We feel great pride in being able to assist the work of the QBI, as their work is invaluable in the quest for a cure.
“Through their multidisciplinary approach, Dr Robyn Wallace and her team are making significant advances towards understanding the disease and we are big supporters of their work.”
At least one Australian dies and another is diagnosed with MND every day.
The onset of MND can occur between the ages of 20 and 70, and the average life expectancy is two–three years from diagnosis.
QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett said private donations like the one from MND and Me played a significant role in funding research at the Institute.
“This builds on a strong legacy of philanthropic funding for MND research at QBI that has allowed us to develop one of the leading programs in this field,” he said.
“We rely heavily on private donations and we thank Scott Sullivan and the MND and Me Foundation for their ongoing support of QBI’s work with Motor Neuron Disease.”
Media: Mikaeli Costello (Mikaeli.Costello@uq.edu.au, 0401 580 685)
Notes to Editors:
The Queensland Brain Institute
The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) at The University of Queensland (UQ) is a world-leading research facility focused on discovering the fundamental mechanisms that regulate brain function. Unlike research institutes that focus on a specific disease or condition, QBI is structured to study the brain’s fundamental molecular and physiological mechanisms.
QBI researchers are working to unlock the mysteries of the neurodegenerative disease and mental health disorders which currently account for a staggering 45 per cent of the burden of disease in Australia.
In particular, QBI is focusing on dementia and has recently established the Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CADR).
After several successful years undertaking dementia research at the Brain and Mind Research Institute in Sydney, Professor Jürgen Götz has joined QBI to lead the Centre.
MND and Me
The MND and Me Foundation Limited is a not-for-profit organisation that was formed to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and its impact in the community. The Foundation contributes financially towards research into finding a cure, but until one is found, its major objectives are to ensure those who have to live with this terrible disease and their families are supported by the Foundation, both in financial and non-financial ways.
On Sunday December 2, MND and Me will be holding its second annual MND and Me Foundation Million Metres for MND Swim.
The event is open to anyone who can swim between one and 10 kilometres consecutively.
The goal is to collectively swim one million metres in one day for one cause – MND research.
For more information, please visit www.millionmetres.com.au.
