This year’s Australia Day came with the news of Simon McKeon being recognised as Australian of the Year 2011.
Simon was the Founding Chair of MS Research Australia until August 2010, when he stepped down to take on the Chairmans role at the CSIRO.
Simon has guided and inspired MSRA to a position as Australia’s peak body for MS research and made it one of MS Australia’s most successful initiatives.
Australia Day honours were also awarded to two people who have considerably advanced the cause of MS research;
Prof John Prineas AO was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to medicine in the field of neurology as an academic, researcher and mentor, to improving the lives of people with Multiple Sclerosis, and to medical education.
Niall King OAM was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community. Niall has been an active fundraiser with F5m and the Trish MS Research Foundation for a number of years as well as a volunteer with MS Australia.
Congratulations on your awards and amazing contributions to MS research in Australia.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
MS is a disease that affects the central nervous system and can interfere with the transmission of nerve impulses throughout the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
Approximately 20,000 Australians have MS.
Research is the only way to find a cure, better treatment or perhaps even preventions for this debilitating disease.
Funds raised from Throw the Book at MS are directed to Foundation 5 Million (F5m) the community fundraising for MS Research Australia.
Recent discoveries have already offered some hope to find cures, treatments or prevention see – www.msra.org.au/news-media/news.php
Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA) aims to substantially accelerate progress towards finding a cause, and cure for MS.
We will achieve this by focusing on -
- Australia’s research strengths, contributing to the world-wide effort to solve MS
- Collaborative national research platforms
- Best-practice international scientific governance
Legendary athlete Betty Cuthbert has had MS for many years.
She is a supporter of Foundation 5 Million and MS research.
