MND Scotland

Yesterday I had the opportunity to present in the LEARN event by MND Scotland Scotland with my supervisor Leeanne McGurk McGurk in the Dundee Science Centre. This was an event where patients with MND and their families could listen to current research carried out by local scientist and then ask questions back to the researchers. Everyone was sitting in small round tables, which made it easier for us researchers to walk around the room and sit with people in a very intimate environment, so they felt comfortable to tell us their story and ask us about our research and life. For me, one of the most important parts of this event was when I walked into the room and I saw all these patients, some in wheelchairs, some with walking aids, some had their family with them, some had their nurses, and I felt a knot on my stomach when I realised I don’t work with Alzheimer’s and MND, I work for all these people and their support system. I don’t work with a desease, I work for people that have a story, a family, good and bad days, pain, fear, and most importantly: hope. In the same way, we wanted to show them that us scientists are not aliens! We are people just like them and we work very hard to find a cure to their disease. To show this, I made a video about a day in my life as a PhD student, they loved it and I received such lovely feedback afterwards. I hope I can get more opportunities like this one to interact with patients and learn more about them.

Yesterday I had the enormous pleasure of hosting the MND Scotland Lived Experience And Researcher Network (#LEARN) event in Dundee. It brought together people affected by #MND with local researchers who are working hard to realise a brighter future for people with MND. There was lots of discussion and even STV Group plc came along to find out more! This was the last of our regional events for 2024 but my excellent colleague Paul J. already has a great event planned for March 2025 - more news very soon! Thank you Paul, for devising a really great engagement format and delivering it so well. 👌 And thank you to everyone who joined us in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. 😍

We're in Dundee Science Centre café today for our fourth, and final, LEARN event of the year. We're looking forward to meeting everyone, taking part in discussions about MND research, and hearing from presenting researchers Dr Chris Henstridge, Dr Arpan Mehta and Dr Leeanne McGurk 💙

Mother of two, Kelly Huxtable, 51, from South Ayrshire, is preparing to embark on an extraordinary journey to Everest Base Camp on 30 November 2024 to honour the memory of her friend, Betty, who bravely fought against motor neuron disease (MND), and to help raise important funds for MND Scotland 💙 The challenge itself will take approximately 11 days to complete and include a total of 80 miles of walking and climbing through different terrains and altitudes across Nepal. The funds raised by Kelly will directly contribute to research initiatives aimed at finding a cure for MND and enhancing support services for those affected by the disease. MND Scotland would like to say thank you to Kelly for taking on this ambitious challenge in support and wish her all the best in the trek. Read Kelly's story here: https://lnkd.in/eYJGCYjc If you would like to donate to her page, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e9nWjcGs

How drugs are developed for motor neuron disease 💙 Making drugs available to people can be a lengthy and complex process. MND Scotland, with support from Costello Medical, have developed these infographics in collaboration with the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation to explain the different steps of the process. https://lnkd.in/dNs8q-ik

Leave a legacy during #FreeWillsMonth and #MakeTimeCount for people living with MND 💙 Your legacy can help change lives and fund crucial research and support for those affected by motor neuron disease. If you’re thinking about creating or updating your Will and would like to include MND Scotland, we can help: 🔹Decide what kind of gift you want to give (monetary, gift, a special gift, or a residuary gift). 🔹Speak to us - we’ve partnered with the National Free Wills Network to give you the chance to make your Will for free. 🔹Tell your solicitor what kind of gift to include in your Will. Please visit our website to find out how you can leave a legacy for free and help future generations: https://lnkd.in/evcQa432

Glasgow - show your support for Kevin Sinfield! 🏉 Rugby legend, Kevin Sinfield CBE has so far completed four epic challenges to raise money in the fight against MND 💙 This year, Kevin and his fundraising team will be ‘Running Home for Christmas’ 🎄 in a week-long challenge where they aim to cover 50km per day starting on 1st December 2024. As part of this incredible challenge, Kevin and the team will visit seven regions across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and we’re asking supporters of MND Scotland to get involved by ‘banging the drum’ and cheering on Kevin and the team at one of the three set points in Glasgow on Wednesday 4th December: 📍Ibrox Stadium 📍Palace of Art 📍Celtic Park Stadium 📍Kelvingrove Art Gallery There will also be opportunities to be at the start and finish line, and a chance to run, walk, or wheel with Kevin and the team! We're so proud to be the recipients of funds raised by Kevin's challenge and appreciate how people in Scotland affected by MND will benefit from the money raised 💙 For more information, or if you would like to register your interest, please visit: https://lnkd.in/e3hcJUqf Thank you 💙

MND Scotland and the Anatomical Society have awarded a three-year PhD studentship to Dr Lyndsay Murray, Lecturer in Anatomy, at the University of Edinburgh, to investigate whether the use of drugs can help encourage regrowth of damaged motor neurons. Dr Murray and her PhD student, Ernie Ho, are testing the theory that, if motor neurons can be stimulated to regrow, it could help slow the progression of motor neuron disease (MND). Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eEdruFZW

What technology could help improve daily life for those living with MND? We're supporting our partner, LifeArc to better understand the daily challenges of living with MND to guide the development of new technologies. Share your thoughts in their short survey: https://bit.ly/3zWUVUj The survey is open to anyone affected by MND, including: ▪ Those living with MND ▪ Caregivers or supporters of someone with MND ▪ People who have lost someone close to MND ▪ Those with a gene that puts them at a high risk of developing MND, or those who have a family history of the condition Insights from this survey will inform investment into future LifeArc research aimed at creating technologies to improve the lives of those affected by MND Thanks for your support 💙