Every day two Australians are diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) and two die from the disease. With no cure and an average life expectancy of just 27 months, we need more investment in MND to support people living with the disease and towards developing effective treatments.


Today, MND Australia, the national peak body for MND, together with the Parliamentary Friends of MND, is hosting an event at Parliament House in Canberra to celebrate Global MND Day and honour 30 leaders in the MND field in recognition of MND Australia’s 30th anniversary.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is an uncommon but devastating disease that affects the nerves (neurons) controlling muscles.Over time, these neurons degenerate and die, leading to progressive muscle weakness.

On average, two Australians are diagnosed with the condition each day, and sadly MND currently has no cure.  In 5-10% of cases, MND runs in families and several genes have been linked to causing MND. In the remaining 90-95% of cases, MND is sporadic with no apparent genetic link. However, genetic and environmental factors are also likely to be involved. MND is most commonly diagnosed in older men, with a ratio of 1.5:1 men to women.

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