A collective effort from the Illawarra community is critical as the Yerbury Lab at the University of Wollongong (UOW) seeks donations to further its research into motor neurone disease (MND). Community contributions have played a vital role in advancing scientific discovery, making a significant impact on the lives of those affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Jeremy Lum, a researcher at the Yerbury Lab, attributes his successful career in MND research to a philanthropic gift he received years ago. This donation not only enabled him to extend his work under the late Professor Justin Yerbury AM but also led to critical funding for ongoing research. “I was only meant to work in Justin’s lab for a short time,” Dr. Lum recalled. “This donation allowed me to continue work for six months, which directly led to Justin receiving a $1 million FightMND grant.”
The findings from this research, which focused on the SOD1 gene, were published earlier this year. Dr. Lum’s work has since allowed him to secure the prestigious Bill Gole Fellowship, which supports his independent research endeavors.
MND affects many families in the community, prompting a personal commitment to support research initiatives. Donnamaree Gasparrini, a long-time advocate for MND research, has dedicated over two decades to fundraising efforts. “I wanted all the money I raised to go to Justin Yerbury’s research,” she stated. Gasparrini has organized various events, from raffles to community gatherings, demonstrating the solidarity of those affected by the disease.
The Yerbury Lab has benefited from this community-driven support, which funds essential resources such as lab equipment and research personnel. Professor Heath Ecroyd, another researcher at UOW, emphasized the importance of these contributions. “Community donations have directly fuelled groundbreaking research in the Yerbury Lab,” he explained. “Over the past year, these funds have supported researchers who worked alongside Justin on ambitious projects to develop targeted therapies and identify new molecular pathways.”
Recent donations have allowed the lab to acquire advanced computing equipment, significantly enhancing research capabilities. Such investments have accelerated results and facilitated preliminary experiments that are crucial for securing further funding. Dr. Lum noted, “We have also used donations to finance small preliminary experiments to support proof of concept results that are important for grant applications.”
Through these efforts, the lab has successfully secured additional funding, including $1 million and $300,000 from FightMND this year. This funding supports the ongoing work of Dr. Christen Chisholm, who is among the recipients of the Bill Gole MND Fellowship alongside Dr. Lum and others.
The Illawarra Mercury plays a significant role in raising awareness and funds for the Yerbury Lab. This year marks a milestone for UOW as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, making the support of MND research in memory of Professor Yerbury even more poignant. The collaboration among local residents, organizations, and ongoing fundraising initiatives illustrates a powerful community commitment to combating neurodegenerative diseases.
As the call for donations continues, the message is clear: each contribution has the potential to change lives and advance vital research. The Illawarra community is encouraged to support the Yerbury Lab and help build a future where breakthroughs in MND research can lead to improved outcomes for all those affected by this debilitating condition.
