Help is out there, but they need your support…
The June Ball will be hosted in the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on June 28th 2014 to raise needed funds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that causes damage to the motor neurones. The motor neurons are like the wires that carry messages from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. Damage to the motor neurons leads to muscle weakness. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. It is a degenerative, life limiting disease with the rate of progression varying greatly from one person to another.
There is currently no cure for MND. The average life expectancy for a person with MND is three to five years. There are approximately 300 people living with MND in Ireland at any one time. On average, 1 person dies from MND every 4 days.
However, there is help out there…
The IMNDA is the primary support organisation for people living with MND, their family and carers. Key services include home visiting by an MND dedicated nurse, financial assistance towards home care, funding towards research and the provision of specialist medical equipment on loan to clients. Funds raised on the night will be divided between these crucial services that the charity provides.
MND sufferer Emma Fitzpatrick said “this most cruel disease has taken with it the use of my upper and lower limbs. It has also taken my voice. Thanks to the fantastic IMNDA I have an eye gaze computer. No payment is necessary for this machine that has given me a voice. It’s invaluable. Writing with my eyes, I stare at a letter and it comes up on the screen. Yes, it’s amazing! There might not be a cure for MND yet but a big high five for those who created the eye gaze.”
Attending the launch of the excellent event, Aoife Walsh AKA Miss Ireland said “The IMNDA provides crucial care and support to people with MND and their families. I am delighted to be attending The June Ball on 28 June, in aid of the IMNDA – it’s going to be a great evening for a very worthy cause.”
The support of the IMNDA enables patients to live as active citizens in their homes for as long as possible. It costs the IMNDA approximately €1.5 million to operate its services every year. The IMNDA receives 14% of its income from statutory funding with 86% of the overall income coming from fundraising and the generosity of the general public.
On the evening of the ball guests will be welcomed with a Disaronno drinks reception followed by a four-course meal including wine. For a night out of good food, fun filled entertainment with: games, bands, DJs and a super raffle, headline prizes of which so far include Rob Kearney’s Six Nations-winning jersey signed by the Irish rugby team (including Brian O’ Driscoll), luxurious weekend getaways, Garth Brooks concert tickets, an iPad and lots more, all to support a worthy cause.
Ball tickets can be purchased online HERE for €90 per person. This is a charity ball with a difference and a recession-friendly price.
For more information on the event please contact [email protected] and you can follow the June Ball on Facebook here and Twitter here.
And for further information on the excellent, important work that IMNDA do, check out their website here.
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