Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, June commenced this final challenge - to write her memoirs. Robbed of the ability to speak she started typing a story or two a day. Eighty-six thousand words in all, the keyboard rattled away at the start but finished with single, lonely clicks.
Proceeds from the sale of June's book go to MND research, here's where you can find it:
iBooks via device or iTunes
Amazon via device or Browser
Kobo via device or Browser
You are invited to participate in The Australian Rare Diseases Survey of Adults. This study is being conducted between 21 July and 1 September 2014, by the Office for Population Health Genomics, Department of Health WA in partnership with Rare Voices Australia (RVA), The Genetic and Rare Disease Network (GARDN), Genetic Support Network Victoria (GSNV) and the Association of Genetic Support Australasia (AGSA).
The purpose of this research study is to explore the healthcare experiences of adults living with a rare disease in Australia. This includes your experiences of: diagnosis, access to information, support and treatment; use of health services; patient registries, clinical trials and research.
We invite you to participate in the survey if you are:
- Aged 18 years or older and living with a rare disease in Australia, or
- A carer or paid support worker is permitted to complete the survey if the person aged 18 years or older living with a rare disease does not have the intellectual and/or physical capability to complete the survey
The responses you provide will be very helpful for us to obtain a comprehensive picture of the health care experiences of people living with rare diseases in Australia. It will provide important information that can be used to advocate for rare diseases, plan for rare diseases at a state and national level and to develop evidence based government policy.
To participate in this study, please click on the link below to the online survey. The survey is anonymous and takes about 20-25 minutes to complete. We ask you to complete the survey by 5pm (AEST) on 1 September 2014.
Survey Link:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/AustralianRDsurvey
If you know someone else who might want to participate in the survey, please send to them the link to the online survey.
We apologise for any cross-posting of this information.
Thank you for participating in this study. All responses to the survey will be collated together. A report will be produced of the survey findings. If you would like a copy of this report when it is published, or have any questions about the survey, please contact Caron Molster from the Office of Population Health Genomics, Department of Health WA on (08) 9222 6871 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Guy Barnett, Liberal Member for Lyons
Motor Neurone Disease Global Day – 21 June 2014
This Saturday 21 June (tomorrow) is Motor Neurone Disease Global Day. As an Ambassador for Motor Neurone Disease Australia, I feel that it is important to raise awareness of this horrible disease and its impact in the community.
Motor neurone disease claims the lives of almost 800 Australians each year, which is more than two Australians every day. There are more than 20 Tasmanians living with MND and an estimated 1900 in Australia currently. MND progresses at different rates but most people with the disease die within 2 to 3 years from diagnosis.
For each person diagnosed with the disease an estimated 14 members of their family and friends will live with the impact forever. MND touches the lives of so many people. I urge people wishing to assist in fighting this debilitating disease to contact Motor Neurone Disease Australia on 1800 806 632.
This year we hope to raise over $1,000,000 from throughout Australia.
Athanasia is a photographic exhibition in honour of my father. It will feature around a dozen works, with around 6 that have not yet been displayed in a exhibition context.
I will also be donating 25% of all sales to Motor Neurone Disease Australia.
The exhibition is at "The Stable Gallery", 45 Main Road Moonah, (Back of Cooleys Hotel).
The opening night will be on Wednesday the 4th of June @6pm, and will be on display till the 6th of July. This is a public event so friends and family are more than welcome.
Hope to see you there!
Lewis
The ACL Cricket Club will again pay homage to two of its past legends on Saturday the 5th of October with a charity match in memory of Brendan "Crash" Barry and Leon Skeggs.
Led by eminent researcher Prof Teepu Siddique this research group describes unique mistakes in a gene called UBQLN2, which codes for a protein called ubiquilin 2, in five families with the inherited form of ALS. This research group also found that this protein is found in both the inherited and sporadic form of MND, which suggest that this finding could be key to finding a new treatment for the disease. Their findings were published in the prestigious Journal Nature.
An overview of the research from the UK MND Research blog
The abstract of the paper published in Nature
Response to press releases and overview from ALS Canada
Check out the video on Fox Chicago News
New insights into the cause of motor neurone disease have been uncovered with a study showing mutations in a specific gene lead to the death of the nerve cells responsible for powering our muscles.
