Autumn 2015
When Laughter Is The Best Medicine Having a giggle may be an unorthodox approach to putting a stop to one of the most devastating neurological diseases. But after twelve months, Angie and Patrick Cunningham’s campaign – Laugh to Cure MND – has shown that in the absence of an effective treatment for motor neurone disease (MND), laughter can be the best medicine. Angie spent her adolescence competing on the international junior tennis circuit. A talented and determined athlete, she was a finalist in several world tennis competitions and represented Australia on numerous occasions. Following her time on the court, Angie worked on the Women’s Tennis Tour and became an integral member of the professional tennis community. “When I was diagnosed with MND three years ago, the most devastating part was being told there was no cure,” recalls Angie. “If there was nothing I could do for my treatment, I decided to do all I can to try and provide hope for future sufferers and get much needed public awareness for MND.” Angie can no longer speak, walk or enjoy a game of backyard tennis with her young daughters; but she brims with tenacity, good humour and determination to change the future of MND. And together with her husband Patrick, that’s exactly what they are doing. Thanks to the Cunninghams, the MND research community has benefited from a $400,000 funding boost to help scientists unravel the mysteries of MND. “We chose to direct all the funds we raised directly into research as we felt that we wanted to go upstream and look to determine where the disease is coming from and try to answer the ‘why’ question,” says Patrick.
money for research, all the while making people laugh. The international tennis community shared their funniest moments and responded with amazing goodwill, helping to raise over $100,000 for MND research in just two weeks. And that was just the beginning … When the MND Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon swept Australia, the Cunninghams leapt into action to organise an MND Ice Bucket Challenge world record attempt at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium. The event attracted 1231 people, generated national publicity and tipped the Laugh to Cure MND donation total over $275,000. The final big push for 2014 came from a group of six Aussie mates – led by Angie’s brother-in-law – who completed the gruelling 42-kilometre New York Marathon. Their massive efforts drove the total funds for MND research to around $400,000. “Laugh to Cure MND is a remarkable campaign that reflects Angie and Patrick’s good humour, positivity and grit. We are grateful for their support and are proud to have worked with them to develop new research grants aiming to find an effective treatment for MND,” says Executive Director Research at MND Australia, Janet Nash. The first two of these grants have commenced in 2015: the Cunningham Collaboration Grant was awarded to Professor Pamela McCombe from the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical
Research and the Angie Cunningham Laugh to Cure MND Grant was awarded to Associate Professor Julie Atkin from the Australian School of Advanced Medicine at Macquarie University. Further grants will be awarded in the next funding round. “Researchers are making progress in understanding MND. Until a cure is found, the MND research community will continue to forge ahead; spurred by the courage and spirit of people like Angie and Patrick Cunningham,” says Janet. www.mndaust.asn.au Facts about motor neurone disease – MND is a progressive, terminal neurological disease – There is no known cure and no effective treatment for MND, yet – Each day in Australia two people die from MND and two people are diagnosed with MND – People with MND progressively lose the use of their limbs and ability to speak, swallow and breathe, whilst their mind and senses usually remain intact – Average life expectancy is 27 months – An estimated 1,900 people have MND in Australia More information: www.mndaustralia.asn.au The Cunninghams
“By investing funds through the MND Research Institute of Australia we were confident that the funds would be well invested into only the best projects. We funded all the costs associated with our campaign so were able to deliver every cent donated into research.” During the Australian Open 2014, Angie and Patrick launched Laugh to Cure MND, a social media and television campaign to heighten awareness of MND and raise
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