Rowe is working to fund a $2 million world-first trial at Macquarie University to test a novel compound, developed in Australia, called Copper-ATSM, to see if it can redress the imbalance of metals that occurs in the brain of patients with familial MND or sporadic MND.
MacDonald had already raised $25,000 toward her goal before she even got out of the driveway on Thursday to start the epic journey. Joining her in the adventure, which has been green-lit by her medical team, and which she anticipates will take around six weeks, is sister Kylie Thynne, who will be her main support for driving, along with various friends. Son Harry has volunteered to drive the Broome to Katherine leg, and her other boy, Rafe, is also planning to assist.
Three sisters: Jacki and Fiona MacDonald with Kylie Thynne.
“At first I dealt with my diagnosis with black humour … While I could laugh I did, as much as possible. The fear set in for me when I suddenly started to have moments when I couldn’t talk at all. My throat would just close and I could barely squeak,” MacDonald explained.
“The hardest thing I have found about this gradual decline is the loss of power … but what’s the point of dwelling on the bad things when you have limited time to find the beauty?
“The best thing about this challenge is that suddenly I have my power back. I feel good, a touch weak, but so very good. So many people have already donated, with such love and kindness, I feel happy and amazed.”
FASHION STAR’S SPECTACULAR COMEBACK
Triumphant return: Sydney’s Tamara Ralph takes Paris by storm at her fashion show this week, pictured with daughter Haliya.
Under the ornate, gilded ceilings of the Grand Salon at Paris’ Shangri-La Hotel this week, Sydney-born and raised haute couture designer Tamara Ralph, who has dressed everyone from Angelina Jolie and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to Kylie Minogue and even Gina Rinehart, made one of the fashion world’s most spectacular comebacks.
Tamara Ralph and former…
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