MND Week 2012

Sunday 6 to Saturday 12 May

MND Week 2011

MND Week is celebrated nationally in the first full week of May each year. During the week MND Associations work together to raise awareness of MND to realise our vision of a world free from MND. It is also a time to acknowledge the MND community, especially people living with MND, and to remember those who have died.

Media coverage

Click here for some of the media stories published and radio interviews conducted during MND Week 2011.

Click here for the MND Week and Global Day media report from JMM communications.

Incurable Optimist Campaign 

During MND Week and through to Global Day on 21 June, assisted again this year by JMM Communications, rather than solely focusing on the incurable nature of MND, we highlighted the amazing and positive spirit of the MND community and how this spirit keeps us fighting MND. We had an incredible response and the personal stories of people living with MND were the cornerstone of the “incurable optimists” campaign in 2011.  Their involvement helped to generate television, radio and print coverage and raise awareness of MND nationally. Over 32 case studies were received and we thank each and every one of you for getting involved in telling your story of optimism.

In addition many individuals spoke to their local media or wrote personal stories for publication through their own media contacts. Your efforts were integral to strengthening our media presence nationally and in raising awareness - thank you.

Call to Action

During MND Week 2011 our Call to Action focused once again on supporting the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) campaign. Members around Australia got involved in telling their community and governments about how such a scheme would help them to live better with MND. 

The Federal Government has recently released the Productivity Commissions final report on disability care and support and the Prime Minister announced support for the vision of an NDIS. This announcement is very exciting and we look forward to the establishment of an NDIS in the future - your involvement has made a difference!

There is still a long way to go and we need to secure the support of all state governments and all political parties. You can still download the Call to Action letter  template and send to your state and federal government representatives to tell them about your needs and experiences. You might also like to seek a meeting with them to tell them about the impact of MND on you and your family and how the introduction of a NDIS would improve the lives of people living with MND.

Click on the following links to access contact details for Federal Politicians:

Senators

Members of Parliament

Ministry List

Shadow Ministry

Talking about MND

You might also like to get involved in talking about MND throughout the year to your local media or community groups - the Background Information Fact Sheet will assist you with facts and figures about MND. The Fact Sheet and other information to assist with media interviews can be downloaded on the Media Kit page of this website.

The blue cornflower

The blue cornflower was adopted by MND Australia as the national symbol of hope for MND because of its fragile appearance but hardy nature. Like the cornflower, people living with MND show remarkable strength in coping with a devastating disease. It was first adopted by the ALS Society of Canada and is also used by South Africa and New Zealand