NRF Annual Report 2009
From our Patron
The past year has been a challenging one for all Australians with constant reminders of the global financial crisis, slowing growth, the fear of rising unemployment, falling asset prices and lower superannuation balances.
For some, the past year has brought additional burdens and as NRF members, we have learned through our regular NRF News of the stories of remarkable people living with life threatening conditions under the care of our neurosurgeons.
The inspirational stories of “Anna...Living with an astrocytoma” and “Sheryn...Brain tumour survivor” and “Graeme...Shared journey - you are not alone” have served to have us really reflect on the tremendous challenges that life can present. They have caused us to stop and try to walk just a few steps in their shoes, they have reinforced the need for our neurosurgical funding and the importance of continuing the academic and research positions and neuroscience projects supported by the NRF.
The history of neurosurgical research in South Australia began in 1963 with our two primary
founders Dr Trevor Dinning and Prof Donald Simpson. Some of their early research work was on children suffering with spina bifida at The Adelaide Children’s Hospital. Their work and the work of others, notably Dr Annabel Carney, led to better patient care, and contributed indirectly to the worldwide reduction in the number of infants born with this serious condition.
Today our research base has broadened and we support a range of neuroscientists in research,
and this year, following in the history of those early research programs, the NRF is launching
a $2million Appeal for a Paediatric Academic Research position the Women’s and Children’s
Hospital. We will continue this Appeal next year with a special dinner on May 14th 2010 to
celebrate the life and work of Professor Simpson. The appeal will fund urgent research aimed
at neurosurgical problems in young people, such as head injuries, brain tumours, epilepsy and
birth defects.
I want to thank the wonderful group of active members and donors that support the NRF, we
remain very appreciative of the commitment and contribution that you all readily provide in the interest of furthering neurosurgical and neuroscience research.
Carolyn Hewson
Your donations and bequests are vital for us to continue our life-saving research.
Here are some brain tumour survivors.
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Anna living with an astrocytoma Sheryn meningioma survivor Graeme survived a
malignant brain tumour
