The power of more than one
I am extremely thrilled to have endorsement from the board and members for the concept of a president's charity. And I'm even more thrilled to have the opportunity to make a difference to the sufferers of motor neurone disease (MND), for which there is no known cure.
For those of you who haven't read my blog yet, I used it to float my idea of giving each president the opportunity to choose a charity or cause to support in kind during their term of office.
I want to do what I can to create awareness of MND and garner support of various types for those who suffer from it. Much of that support is channelled through associations, like MND Australia, which is the peak body for MND associations in Australia and a member of an international alliance.
MND, a progressive wasting of the muscles, occurs all over the world. No one knows what causes it, a cure has not been found for it, and interventions have only limited effect. Yet every day, at least one Australian dies of MND and a new person is diagnosed with it. My mother died from it. The average life expectancy following diagnosis is 27 months but may range from three months to 10 years or more. The renowned Nobel prize winning physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking, has had it almost all his life, and one of our members Phil Brady, who is interviewed in this issue has had it more than 10 years.
Just imagine what it would be like to gradually lose your voice, not be able to walk to your front door, or hold chopsticks or a knife and fork. MND Australia wants to see
'A world free from the impact of MND'. So do I. So do its patrons, Sir Gustav Nossal and Judith Durham of the Seekers. I hope you do too, and that you will join me over the next 12 months in a concerted effort.
Funding is needed for research, for information and for equipment that can be loaned free of charge to sufferers. Lack of funds means associations like MND Australia have never really got beyond the start-up phase. They need people with finance, accounting and business skills to help develop and implement effective business plans.
They also need people who can provide families with financial advice, or help sufferers access their super. They need people with personal and professional networks who can facilitate contact with marketers, manufacturers, website developers, the media and politicians. They need people like you and me.
You'll find more about this dreadful disease inside this issue. And you'll hear more from me, through my blog, this column and CPA Update, about how you can help sufferers live better and live longer. Besides expertise and contacts, there will be opportunities to take part in fundraising walks, golf days, gala dinners, host morning teas, buy merchandise and much more.
Think how much more powerful our response can be if we galvanise support from our friends, colleagues and in our workplaces. Are you with me?
Post a comment on Alex Malley's blog.
Reference: March 2008, volume 78:02, p. 8
