After losing two sons to muscular dystrophy and watching her nephews battle the disease, Camperdown’s Jan Smith knows better than most the importance of the push for a cure.
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Mrs Smith helped turn Mercy Regional College’s two campuses green last week to raise money and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool and its green laces appeal.
More than $1500 was raised in the green-themed event, which will go towards research and support initiatives. “It’s fantastic, we’re absolutely stoked,” Mrs Smith said.
Green laces were for sale, green-iced donuts added to the fund-raising total and a dress-up day was held on Friday with prizes donated by local businesses.
Mrs Smith, a staff member at Mercy, lost her two sons Ben and Zach, former students at the school, to the disease. She is the aunt of Christopher and Aaron Gillin, who live with muscular dystrophy and are the brainchilds behind the green laces appeal. Mrs Smith said the money raised would be distributed between Muscular Dystrophy Australia and Save Our Sons, a foundation for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Save Our Sons funnel the money into research and one of their goals, which I think is really important, is to have a specially-trained nursing staff member in every hospital,” she said.
Muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle-wasting disease. It leads to decreased mobility and often a shortened lifespan.
