From appearing on stage and entertaining large crowds, to sharing personal stories with small groups of people, Jerry Lewis knows how to get his message across and speak to your heart. Many people were moved at the large function at Docklands in Melbourne, and again at the Property Council dinner in Sydney.

Jerry’s message is clear, money is needed for research, education, awareness and support services about neuromuscular conditions and an Australian telethon in 2012 is a way to achieve all three goals.

Watching games of AFL in Melbourne and Sydney were highlights for the sport-loving Jerry Lewis. His very funny comedy was appreciated by players and officials before the games.

Jerry met with firefighters in both Sydney and Melbourne to gain their support for a future event and Muscular Dystrophy Foundation looks forward to working alongside the firefighters.

Jerry has made a commitment to Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia and he will be back to continue with the enormous job of raising money for the many Australians affected by muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) today launched a new website ‘Take a Closer Look at Stem Cells’ (www.closerlookatstemcells.org) which will assist patientsaround the world to assess the recent explosion of online claims regarding stem cell treatments.
There is an understandable impatience from many groups to see faster medical results from stem cell research. Worldwide, there is a proliferation of clinics directly marketing expensive stem cell therapies that are considered unproven by globally accepted clinical standards. In response the ASCC released its Patient Information Handbook in 2009 to assist the growing number of Australians interested in accessing these therapies. Today’s announcement from the ISSCR will provide Australian’s with an additional and powerful resource to assist in evaluating the multitude of stem cell treatments offered online and elsewhere.
Australia has a well regulated health system and patients can be confident that when stem cell treatments are offered here they will be both safe and effective. However, not every country is so well regulated. The promise that stem cell based treatments hold for debilitating diseases and crippling injuries, that are often otherwise untreatable, has led to treatments being offered in some countries without proof of safety and efficacy by properly overseen trials and regulation of the treatments. These processes are time consuming and expensive, but are essential for patient safety and well being.

Full media release

Also featuring local performers Lara & Conan Brett at Gooree Park, Castlereagh Hwy Saturday 25th September 2010. Adults $65
Children (u/12 years) $25
Children (u/5 years) FREE
Family Pass $150.00 (2 adults and up to 3 children u/12)
Limited amount of family passes available so be quick!

Go to: Brochure or Tickets for more information and to buy your ticket today!

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) Australia is pleased to be welcoming back Jerry Lewis to Australia in June 2010 for a tour to promote muscular dystrophy. Jerry Lewis joins us in support of MDF Australia and people throughout Australia with a neuromuscular condition.

• more understanding today through awareness and education
• the best available support through best practise service delivery
• a better future through vital research and essential advocacy

Jerry Lewis’ tour will benefit all Australians with a neuromuscular condition and their families through research, advocacy, awareness and education. MDF Australia is very grateful to those in Sydney and Melbourne who are hosting events with Jerry Lewis as a special guest. The event being planned by Property Council Australia to be held in Sydney still has seats available, please follow the link for more information. Also, look out for Jerry Lewis on Good News Week.

A recent article in The Age newspaper.

An associated article in The Age newspaper.

For further information please contact:

Rebecca Scelly

Media/PR, MDNSW

02 9809 2111

rebecca.scelly@mdnsw.org.au

From Friday 19 March, the MDQLD No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) will provide interest and fee-free loans to eligible people.

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland will launch a program giving those diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders, their families and carers access to an affordable finance option using $80,000 in loan capital from National Australia Bank.

From Friday 19 March, the Muscular Dystrophy Queensland No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) will provide interest and fee-free loans to individuals and families affected by the disease. The interest-free loans up to $2000 will enable recipients to purchase necessary personal and household goods and services, including funding for essential equipment such as wheelchairs. The loans are not for cash or debt repayment.
“There are approximately 7,500 people with Muscular Dystrophy across Queensland and we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to help them and their families financially,” said Rick Carr, State Manager for Muscular Dystrophy Queensland. “The program empowers people who are usually unable to access to mainstream credit and we wouldn’t be able to
deliver these loans in the region without the loan capital donated by NAB.” Mr Carr said the money loaned through the scheme would be circular, re-entering the loan pool once repaid by borrowers. “Every repayment tops-up the pool of loan capital, making it available for someone else in the community. Loan recipients know that their efforts in sticking to their repayment plans benefit not just themselves, but others affected by Muscular Dystrophy,” he said.
Stuart Davies, Regional Executive Retail at NAB in Brisbane North said NILS was not just about loaning money. “The NILS loan process operated by Muscular Dystrophy Queensland will help to make real a difference to the lives of those affected by the condition. “NILS also helps to develop financial literacy, build assets for people on low incomes and is part of NAB’s goal to build strong, sustainable and more inclusive communities. It is about providing the means for people to help themselves, by enabling access to small, safe and affordable loans,” he said. The Muscular Dystrophy Queensland NILS will service those living with Muscular Dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders, their families and carers across Queensland, through their head office in Hendra.
Developed by Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service, NILS is the only nationally coordinated interest-free loan
scheme currently available to low income earners in Australia. Muscular Dystrophy Queensland NILS is one of more than 25 NILS programs in Queensland, and over 280 Australiawide working to combat financial exclusion for people on low incomes.

Muscular Dystrophy Queensland NILS is located at Unit 13, 191 Hedley Avenue, Hendra, QLD.

Telephone: 07 3607 1800.

The competition has started at the Sydney Academy of Sport & Recreation. Round robin competitions to select finalists in hockey, rugby league and soccer take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

The top teams will battle it out in the finals for all three sports on Saturday 20 April.

To download the N.E.W.S. 2010 Calendar of Events please click here.

To download the N.E.W.S. 2010 Fixtures please click here.

Tour Duchenne is an annual cycling event raising money and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy. Cyclists will start from either Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide and cycle all the way to Sydney. The event will take place from September 10th to 19th.

This year we are aiming to raise $1.5 million. Of the total amount we raise, 70% will go to research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and 30% will go to State based programmes and support of people with a neuromuscular condition.

We still have places left in each leg of the ride so if you are a keen cyclist, or know someone who is a keen cyclist, then please email us at rebecca.scelly@mdnsw.org.au.

If you can’t participate but are still interested in helping out, then please visit www.tourduchenne.com, pick a rider and make a donation. Our very own CEO, David Jack is committed to cycling the Brisbane to Sydney leg, so look out for his profile on the Tour Duchenne website, and help him reach his individual goal of $25,000. To donate straight towards Davids total, please go to: www.everydayhero.com.au/david_jack.

We are also looking for a large number of sponsors to sponsor individual riders and the event as a whole, so if you have a business, or know someone in business who might be interested in a sponsorship arrangement, please email rebecca.scelly@mdnsw.org.au.

Thank you very much for your interest and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

 Kind regards,

Rebecca Scelly

Fundraising Manager