Western Australian Branch Launched

28 May 2010

WA Launches with Successful Event

The WA branch of AMDF was launched on Friday 28 May 2010 with a cocktail party at the Peppermint Grove Tennis Club in Perth. The driving force behind the organisation are Penny and Steven Andrews who have two children with Mitochondrial Disease. Dr Phillipa Lamont, the Director of the Neurogenetic Unit at Royal Perth Hospital and paediatric neurologist at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, along with Penny Andrews, have been appointed to the AMDF Board.

The launch introduced the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to West Australians. More than 200 people attended on the night. Other families with members who have the disease also attended and many of their stories were displayed in print and photos on the night.

Travelling from Sydney for the event were Sean Murray from the AMDF Board who acted as MC for the evening, along with Doug and Margie Lingard also from the Board, with Dr Lingard speaking to the crowd about the Foundation and its aims.

Dr Lamont, then spoke about the nature of mitochondrial disease, giving a concise description of its effects on the body and pointed to data which suggests that the disease is more prevalent than most people would understand.

Finally, Penny Andrews gave a moving speech about her family’s journey of discovery of the disease in two of her children, and her determination to do something to increase awareness and to help others in the same situation. Her talk had an enormous impact on those attending.

Penny Andrews, along with Juliet Black, Deb Reilly, Olivia Galluccio and several others helped organise the informative social occasion, and although not designed as a fundraising event many people were moved to donate, with over $100,000 being donated or pledged as a result.

The AMDF WA Launch Event.

Click any photo for larger view.