2023 Indi-Pac Fundraising for the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation

Finally the Indian Pacific Wheel Ride. Finally an opportunity to get jiggy on a bicycle in my home country after an extended absence due to the Global Pandemic. Finally an opportunity to raise money for an Australian based charity but one that benefits the Global fight against an insidious disease.

Introducing the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation.

But first a refresher on Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The Mayo clinic describes MS as:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerve fibers.

Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely between patients and depend on the location and severity of nerve fiber damage in the central nevous system. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or ambulate at all. Other individuals may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms depending on the type of MS they have.

There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are treatments to help speed the recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.

The Trish Foundation

Trish was my wife Melissa’s first cousin who was struck down by a particularly aggressive form of MS at age 23. Within 3 years of the diagnosis Trish went from being an elite athlete, captain of the Australian Womens Youth Cricket Team, to living in a nursing home, where she stayed for 4 years before passing away aged 30.

Just before she died her parents Roy (who very sadly passed away earlier this year) and Carol promised Trish that they they would find a cure. They knew it would be too late for Trish but desperately wanted to save others from going through such a cruel experience. They established the Trish MS Research Foundation and have since raised over $6.5 million.

It is important to note that in contrast to a number of other charities, the Foundation is staffed by a team of dedicated, unpaid volunteers and every dollar raised is placed into research. The Directors of the Foundation cover the administrative expenses.

Please watch this brief video from a few years ago which will give you a very good idea about what the Trish Foundation is all about:

Pretty inspiring eh!?

Also inspiring is the progress MS research has made over the last 20 years. The following video of a round table discussion between 3 of the world’s most distinguished Professors in MS Research that occurred on stage at the annual Trish Ball in 2022 will give you an understanding of how close they are to realising Carol and Roy’s promise to their daughter of finding a cure for MS.

It is my honour to be involved with the Trish Foundation and if within your means I would greatly appreciate any contribution to this extremely worthwhile cause, which you can do so my clicking HERE.

My goal is to raise $5,500 ($1 for every kilometre of the ride).

For further background and information on the Trish MS Research Foundation please refer; https://www.trishmsresearch.org.au