'A Step Towards a Cure'
'A Step Towards a Cure' Fundraising Dinner
In memory of Jeff Bray
All proceeds donated to Amyloidosis Australia Inc
Friday 10 August 2007
7pm
West Adelaide Function Centre
57 Milner Road, Richmond
My Father was Jeff Bray. He played football for West Adelaide between 1956-1963 and 1967-1970, in which he played 196 games and played 8 State games for South Australia. He also played 34 games for South Melbourne from 1964-1966 and was inducted into the West Adelaide Hall of Fame in August 2005.
Dad passed away in May 2006 of a rare blood related disease called 'Amyloidosis'. This disease is extremely hard to diagnose and once diagnosed it is very difficult to treat. There is no known cure for Amyloidosis and if not detected early the prognosis of survival is limited. Dad suffered with a heart condition for over twenty years and as a result his symptoms were thought to be related to that. However, we now believe Dad had Amyloidosis for over 4 years. Dad spent nearly 6 weeks in hospital and after eliminating other possibilities, was diagnosed with Amyloidosis on 5 April and passed away on 24 May 2006, 5 days after his 68th Birthday.
What struck us was how little information was known about this disease and how difficult it was to access practical information about it. Over 160 people are year are diagnosed with Amyloidosis in Australia, however this figure is probably greater as it normally undiagnosed.
Our Family is planning a fundraising dinner in Memory of Dad to raise awareness and all money raised will be donated to Amyloidosis Australia Inc which provides support, advice for patients and their carers. They also provide information resources for the medical professions involved in research and treatment of Amyloidosis.
The MC for the night is 'KG' Cunningham and John Reid, Football Operations Manager, from the Adelaide Crows has kindly offered to be Guest Speaker on the night talking about 'Football in the 60's compared to the Football of today'. There will also be West Adelaide Past Players talking about their playing days in the 60's and telling a few stories from on and off the field!
Tickets are only $75 each which includes a 3 course dinner and 5 hour drink package.
If you would like to attend or require further information, please contact Karen Kelly on 0413088817, or by email: kkelly@unley.sa.gov.au.
ASX-Reuters Foundation
Amyloidosis Australia Inc is one of 27 charities being sponsored by the ASX Reuters Foundation for 2007.
The cheque being presented to Ellen from Diccon Close (Chairman of the ASX Reuters Foundation) and Peter Witts (Cisco Systems).
We were delighted to have the Hooson family, from Newcastle, volunteer at the Golf day, and Ellen, Jean & James were volunteers at the Gala Dinner/Auction (16th Feb 2007).
During the dinner we were able to tell several guests about Amyloidosis Australia, including Ray Martin, from Channel 9 (see 'phone' photo below).
