Acknowledgements
Many acknowledgments need to be made as a result of the generous donations we have received during 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group thanks most sincerely all individuals, groups and organisations who show their support and care for Leukodystrophy sufferers and their families. Without this generosity our organisation would not be able to maintain the high level of support that we feel all Leukodystrophy families deserve.
2008
SAP Australia
The staff of SAP Australia has shown great compassion, generosity and kindness by joining together to raise funds for a family in NSW who are dealing with a very recent diagnosis. Some of the funds raised have come to the ALDS. All at the ALDS are very grateful for this consideration.
Adelaide Benevolent Society
The Adelaide Benevolent Society have shown great support to our group by giving us a grant to cover some of the household expenses for a family in South Australia. This family is experiencing an extremely difficult time at the moment and they, along with the ALDS is very grateful for this personal assistance.
The Rotary Club of Maroubra NSW
Once again we have been very generously supported by the Maroubra Rotary Club who have recently donated $3,000.00. We extend many thanks to all members of the club and especially to Elizabeth Michard who has remained in close contact with us since 2006.
The Costa Family Foundation
Special thanks to the Costa Family Foundation for their donation of $10,000 to our group. This pledge was received by the ALDS as a result of the Geelong Lions' Club 'Longest Walk for an Aussie Kid' campaign. The ALDS would like to extend special thanks to Frank and Robert Costa for taking the time to listen to John Olsen and understand his sincerity and compassion towards our group.
Anonymous Donation
A donation of $5,000 has been received from friends of the ALDS who would like to remain anonymous. Of course we are happy to comply with their wishes and they know we are pleased and happy to be able to send this money on to families as requested.
Department of Human Services
We have again received a grant of $5,000 from the Department of Human Services Victoria for Current Expenses.
2007
The Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund
The Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund has very generously donated $10,000 to go towards the part time employment of our Administrative Assistant. Every administration dollar saved is a dollar that can be redirected to family support.
The ALDS endeavours to keep financial assistance for families as its utmost priority. The grant we received from the Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund will allow us to do just that. $10,000 that would have been used to cover administration can now be redirected to provide medicines, specialised treatments, programs or equipment for very special children with Leukodystrophy and ease the financial pressure placed on their loving and dedicated parents. Thank you to the Melbourne Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund for this gift.
Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation
We are again extremely grateful to the Gwen and Edna Jones Foundation for their donation of $7,750 for the purchase of a Ricon Wheelchair Lift and Installation. This item is an absolute blessing to a family with a severely disabled son who can now travel together with much greater safety and with much more frequency, ease and comfort.
Michaels family lives in country Victoria and regularly travel to Melbourne for specialist appointments. Michael loves to attend school, water therapy classes and to travel with his mother and sisters to local and family outings. He receives a lot of pleasure and stimulation from socialising and taking in the sights and sensations of the great outdoors. All of these activities and everyday pleasures would be denied to Michael, and to a great degree to his mother and family as well, without the assistance and generosity of the Gwen and Edna Jones Foundation who provided funding for this great and innovative piece of equipment.
Southside Stampers Inc.
This fabulous group of ladies held a Stamping, Scrapbooking and Papercrafts Marathon in July 2007 and raised $10,920.80.
At the request of Southside Stampers funds will be directed to families in the groups home state of Queensland. We are in the processing of ascertaining these families specific needs at this time and will keep this page updated as needs are met. A big thank you to all members of Southside Stampers for their kindness and generosity to the ALDS and in particular to Queensland families.
Spring Bulb Fundraiser - NSW
Many thanks are extended to the Riggs family from the Blue Mountains for raising $1,120 from the sale of spring bulbs.
Carers Victoria and Carers South Australia
Carers Victoria again offered their support by donating $200 towards the cost of Carers Week activities. Carers South Australia gave a grant for the Dinner, Respite and Travel Expenses of the Carers Week event in SA.
Department of Human Services Victoria
We are very grateful for the assistance given to us by DHS Victoria who have contributed $5,000 for Current Expenses.
Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs
We are very grateful for the assistance given to us through the grant of $2,748.90 for the purchase of a laptop for our Queensland Office and another grant of $2,685.00 towards the cost of travel and accommodation for families to attend our 4th Medical Seminar held on 18th August 2007.
Genetic Services Network of Victoria (GSNV)
The GSNV again provided funds to the ALDS through its Special Projects Grant. $60 has been given to assist with the publishing of the 4th Edition of our Book of Stories.
2006
1314 Foundation
As a consequence of a mighty fund raising effort this group has contributed $12,335.74 to the ALDS and further funds have been given to a family in NSW.
Camperdown Rotary Club
Keith is an adult living in country Victoria who suffers from Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). He was diagnosed with ALD at about age 12 and is now 37 years old. His ALD was slow to progress at first but over the last 5 to 10 years and particularly in the last 3 years his deterioration has been rapid and consistent. Camperdown Rotary Club have come to the rescue of Keith's family by donating $500 to assist with the cost of their bathroom renovation which has become absolutely essential if the family is to stay together, caring for one another.
Assisting a relatively able bodied adult with showering and shaving during a time of illness is very difficult. Imagine the effort and logistics of doing this every day for a severely disabled young man with limited ability to walk or support himself and you begin to understand the physical and emotional stress and strain of parents caring for older children and adults with Leukodystrophy.
We can't say thank you enough to the members of Camperdown Rotary Club for facilitating this project which is so important to Keith and his family.
Maroubra Rotary Club
Maroubra Rotary Club donated $2,500 which they asked to be distributed to NSW families. The ALDS did fulfill this request and it was lovely to be able to send cheques off to families from a specific donor. We received many acknowledgements of thanks to the members of the Maroubra Rotary Club and the money has been spent in a variety of ways but always for the benefit of their child with Leukodystrophy.
Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation
Keith is an adult living in country Victoria who suffers from Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). He was diagnosed with ALD at about age 12 and is now 37 years old. His ALD was slow to progress at first but over the last 5 to 10 years and particularly in the last 3 years his deterioration has been rapid and consistent. The Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation have come to the rescue of Keith's family by donating $2,000 to assist with the cost of their bathroom renovation which has become absolutely essential if the family is to stay together, caring for one another.
Assisting a relatively able bodied adult with showering and shaving during a time of illness is very difficult. Imagine the effort and logistics of doing this every day for a severely disabled young man with limited ability to walk or support himself and you begin to understand the physical and emotional stress and strain of parents caring for older children and adults with Leukodystrophy.
We can't say thank you enough to the board of the Gwen & Edna Jones Foundation for facilitating this project which is so important to Keith and his family.
Paul Newman Foundation
The Newman's Own Foundation donated US$12,000 to assist families. The ALDS purchased Specialised Hospital Beds and Hoists for a number of families and this will be greatly appreciated by all concerned for many years.