I’m writing to you to say a huge and heartfelt THANK YOU for taking part in The May 50K this month to support vital research to leave MS where it belongs, behind us.
It’s amazing to see how much you’ve already raised for your challenge. Well done on this achievement so far!
I am also joining you this month! I’m closing in on my target of 200km, and thanks to very generous family members and an anonymous donor, my fundraising target has been exceeded.
The May 50K means so much to me, so I’ll do whatever I can to take part with you all.
I’m taking on the challenge for my cousin, Claire, who is living with primary progressive MS, and my niece’s partner, Joseph, who has relapsing remitting MS.
These are two remarkable people with such a positive outlook. They inspire me every step I take towards my target.
I have also been deeply inspired by the personal stories of people living with MS, their families, friends and carers, shared through social media. So many people doing extraordinary things.
I am carrying a pebble to remind me of the commitment of Kane DeGrauw, who is carrying a huge rock up Red Bluff Hill every day for his May 50K, symbolising his mother’s MS journey.
The efforts of every participant in The May 50K will support research to find better treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis.
So, I thought it might be useful for you to understand a little more about the research that you are supporting…
Our research program is moving us ever closer to both a cure and to improving the quality of life for people living with MS. We do this through a focus on five clear goals:
- Fund the best research to find cures for MS and prevent MS from happening in the first place.
- Fund the best research to manage MS and improve quality of life for people living with MS.
- Facilitate translation and implementation of research outcomes – taking research from the lab and into the community.
- Build capacity of the research workforce, so we attract and keep the best researchers in the MS space.
- Collaborate with partners nationally and globally to maximise outcomes and our chances of success.
Research is so important, and it’s dramatically changing the lives of people with MS. With the evolution of disease-modifying therapies, the chances of leading a near-normal life are better for a person diagnosed today with the most common form of MS than ever before.
It’s very exciting, and it gives me great hope that we can make MS a thing of the past.
There is a long way to go, but the more we learn, the more we know, and the closer we are getting to repairing the damage wrought by MS.
And our research program is your research program – funded by you, supported by you, and dedicated to all those people who live with MS, their family, friends, supporters and carers.
Together, we will leave MS behind.
Today, I just want you to know how much your support means to me personally, and the 2.9 million people living with MS worldwide…
Because I know how tough it can be to find the motivation to get out there and do it, but every step you take and every dollar you raise is bringing us closer to creating a future free of MS.
Your determination, passion and commitment is truly inspiring. THANK YOU for taking part in The May 50K and good luck for the remainder of your challenge.
With my best wishes.
Rohan Greenland
CEO, MS Australia
