The Allan Labor Government is supporting the extraordinary efforts of Neale Daniher to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and raise money for vital research to find a cure for the disease.
Every day at least two people are diagnosed with MND in Australia with sufferers progressively losing the ability to walk, talk, feed themselves, swallow, and ultimately breathe.
Daniher, a former Essendon Football Club captain and coach of the Melbourne Football Club, was diagnosed with MND in 2013 and has since inspired the nation with his efforts to progress treatments and find a cure for the condition he calls "The Beast".
The Allan Labor Government will donate $250,000 to help FightMND for the 10th year of the Big Freeze. The Labor Government has a long-standing support of Neale's FightMND - with a total contribution of more than $6.5 million since 2015.
FightMND has invested more than $55 million since its creation in 2014 in research including drug development and clinical trials, providing hope that a cure will be found for a disease that an estimated 2,100 Australians live with each day.
The Labor Government recognised Daniher's contribution to Victorian life with the declaration of "Daniher's Way" - the path that leads from William Barak Bridge's landing in Yarra Park to the MCG. This year fans will walk Daniher's Way as part of the annual Big Freeze King's Birthday clash between Melbourne and Collingwood.
The Government has invested over $1billion in medical research since 2014, including $400 million to establish the Australian Institute for Infectious Disease and $75 million for the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics.
These donations have gone towards establishing a High-throughput Drug Screening Platform for MND at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health in Parkville, supporting the establishment of a world-class facility and the generation of one of the largest MND stem cell collections in the world.
To support the quest to find a cure for MND, buy a beanie or go to fightmnd.org.au
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"The work Neale Daniher has done for many other Victorians fighting this terrible disease while faced with his own devastating diagnosis is truly remarkable."
"We're proud to support Neale's fight and continue to support the foundation with its annual Big Freeze to help find a cure for MND."
As stated by Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll
"Victoria's world class medical researchers at the Florey Institute are at the forefront of working towards a cure and treatment for MND. This would not be possible without the hard work of Neale Daniher and team at FightMND."
As stated by Member for Pakenham Emma Vulin
"Neale and his family have done such important work to raise the profile of MND - and to support me personally on this journey. I am so proud we are continuing our support of the Big Freeze in its 10th year."
