Professor Carolyn Sue with Tom and Martine Vanderspuy
Creativity driving new research trial
A special art exhibition has raised close to $100,000 for a trial of an innovative treatment for mitochondrial disease. The Martine Gallery at Northbridge hosted the Art with Heart exhibition in conjunction with the NORTH Foundation. All proceeds are going to an LED light therapy trial which will be undertaken by researchers within the Kolling Institute. Gallery owner Martine Vanderspuy co-ordinated the event, inspired by the positive impact of light therapy on her 16 year old son Tom, who has mitochondrial disease. Martine has
now raised almost $400,000 for research. Kolling Institute Director and mitochondrial disease international expert, Professor Carolyn Sue, helped launch the exhibition, thanking all those involved. “It is absolutely fabulous to have supporters, like Martine and the community, raise awareness and funds to improve treatment for patients with mitochondrial disease. It’s a debilitating genetic disorder which robs the body of energy and causes multiple organ dysfunction,” Professor Sue said.
“We are committed to innovative research, like this light therapy trial, to find new ways to manage the disease. There are currently very few effective treatments for mitochondrial disease, demonstrating the importance of investing in new clinical trials like this one.” The light therapy could potentially treat patients with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, motor neurone disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Donations can be made to neurogenetics.everydayhero.com.au/ martine
10
KOLLINGNEWS | ISSUE 4 | DECEMBER 2019
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online