KYLIE Delaney knows how important money is to finding a cure for motor neurone disease.
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Ms Delaney’s sister was told three years ago she had the disease — at a time when few people had heard of it.
Now, thanks to the ice- bucket challenge, people better know what motor neurone disease does to people and how vital fund-raising is to support those with the affliction.
“So many people are now talking about it,” Ms Delaney said yesterday.
“When they’re doing the challenge, they’re reading about it.
“When my sister went for treatment in Melbourne, the waiting room was the size of a small lounge room — the services just weren’t there.
“If you said the word “cancer” everyone knew what you meant, but people hadn’t heard of motor neurone disease.”
Expensive equipment and hospital beds to support sufferers were often hard to find and Ms Delaney said ice-bucket fund-raisers were helping to address this.
“When we needed a bed for my sister, there was only one king bed available in NSW,” she said.
“Many people need equipment like that.”
Ms Delaney, who has taken the challenge, has urged others to do it and also support the cause with money.
“It’s just as important to donate,” she said. “Hopefully, we can find a cure for the disease one day.”
“Without donations, it’s just someone dumping ice on their head.”
