NTI raffle truck hauls hope for MND
Transport insurance specialist matches funds raised by raffling a restored 1946 truck to give $200,000 to Motor Neuron Disease researchTransport insurance firm NTI has donated $200,000 for Motor Neuron Disease research after raising $100,000 through raffling a restored vintage truck and then choosing to match the tally.
A number of researchers working to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for the devastating disease have applied to MND Research Institute of Australia for a share of the money to further their work, including Dr Shyuan Ngo and Dr Frederik Steyn from the University of Queensland.
"The research we do into MND is really focused on trying to understand how the body responds to the disease and what we might be able to do to slow the progression of the disease for people who are diagnosed," said Dr Ngo.
NTI embarked on its fundraising push in April, selling raffle tickets to a stunning 1946 Ford Jailbar truck that was painstakingly restored over hundreds of hours.
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The cause is especially poignant for the firm, which lost former CEO Wayne Patterson to the disease.
"At NTI, we decided we should match what was raised through the raffle and that took the grant from $100,000 to over $200,000," said NTI CEO, Tony Clark.
"We were delighted to do that to support a great cause and that support is ongoing – next year we plan to restore another truck to raise funds."
Dr Ngo said a significant proportion of the money raised by NTI would be used in the lab to grow stem cells in neurons similar to those found in the brain and spinal cord, so researchers can study why these cells might be dying in those living with MND.
Dr Ngo's research partner and husband, Dr Steyn, said MND research was producing tangible results for those affected by the disease.
"This particular kind of contribution has a big impact, even before the money is spent on research," he said.
"The awareness that comes from this creates a lot of hope. So, five, 10 years ago when you were diagnosed with MND, it was a very difficult diagnosis to process, as little could be done to help people with MND.
"MND is still a terrible diagnosis, but now, when people join research, they leave the clinic with more hope. That's uplifting."
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