Hi there,

It is an absolute honour to be writing this, my first Nerve Centre communication as the new CEO of MSWA. I am aware of the responsibility of delivering on the Purpose of this amazing organisation as we support Western Australians with neurological conditions to live their best lives. I am also conscious of the role we can play in supporting the research community to find cures and ways to slow down or better manage symptoms.

I am aware that none of this would be possible without you - the incredible community of supporters who donate their time, money, energy and enthusiasm to MSWA’s fundraising activities. Whether you are putting a team together for the MSWA Albany Ride, or entering the MSWA Mega Home Lottery, you are helping us to shape the future for Western Australians, and indeed all Australians, living with neurological conditions.

My job is to work with the Board and the team to build on the great work done by Marcus Stafford and the team to date and to define how we make an even greater impact for the people we exist to support.

In short, I am honoured and humbled to be in this role and I look forward to getting to know you and learning from you all as we navigate the present and the future, towards our united goal.

Melanie Kiely
MSWA CEO

9,850 km cycled by Clients, for Clients

In the 2021 Stationary Cycle Challenge, 229 MSWA Clients propelled themselves towards the new year during their weekly physiotherapy appointments to cycle a combined 9,850 kilometres. That’s the equivalent of cycling from Perth to Brisbane and back again!

MSWA’s annual Stationary Cycle Challenge is completed on a stationary bike over an eight week period, concluding the week of our MSWA Ocean Ride event. 2021 achieved record-breaking Client participation and ‘kilometres ridden’ across every MSWA Services Centre.

The winning team and holder of the perpetual shield for the first time was our Albany Services Centre. Not only did the Albany team track an amazing 1,808.97 km but they also raised $985 to help us continue to support fellow Western Australians living with neurological conditions. In a very close second place was the Rockingham team with 1,784.5 km, and in third place was Beechboro with 1,478.8 km.
 
One Albany participant in particular went above and beyond in his challenge, individually cycling 634 km over the eight weeks.

Researcher in Focus: Clinical Professor Allan Kermode

MSWA is proud to continue funding Professor Kermode and his team, who are exploring conditions where damage has occurred to the myelin sheath – the protective covering around the nerve fibres in the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

“Our research focuses on the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis – its origin and how it evolves,” explains Professor Kermode. “We look at individual cells from lesions in the brain and dissect them to understand their nature.

“Ultimately, we hope to unravel the cause of MS and to find the cure.”

Giving back and feeling fortunate

“Volunteering isn’t always about the ‘position’, it’s the people with whom you volunteer that makes it good and if you’re lucky, it’s both.”

Julia Hewson has been living with MS since the 1980s. She considers herself fortunate that the condition hasn’t slowed her down much over the years, although she wasn’t to know this would be the case in the early days of diagnosis.

Her philosophy to take one day at a time, ask for help when needed, and to give back where you can, has served her well throughout 34 years living with MS.

Did you know we celebrated Christmas with our Clients and volunteers in December?

To everyone’s delight, the popular MSWA Client & Volunteer Christmas Party made its comeback at the end of last year, after a one year hiatus.

Staff and volunteers put on a morning of entertainment – carols, skits, raffles, and more – before a roast lunch was served. It was attended by Clients and volunteers from across all areas of our organisation, such as Outreach and our high-support accommodation facilities.