GO AUSTRALIA!
SPORTS STARS CHAMPION HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH FOR
“THANK YOU” DAY
National sporting champions, including Socceroo star, Paul Wade who had surgery for his epilepsy, will join their medical research heroes around the country to celebrate better health and quality of life from Australian discoveries in the build up to Research Australia “Thank You” Day 2004.
Under the theme ‘sports heroes thank research heroes’, the month-long campaign kicks off on 8 October in Alice Springs with the launch of a giant “Thank You” card.
This special piece of history will be signed by key sporting and research figures at celebratory breakfasts as it tours each state capital.
It will
then take pride of place at the “Thank You” Day Awards dinner in Brisbane on
November 7th, when six Australian individuals and organisations will
be honoured for their remarkable philanthropy and advocacy which has helped
pave the way for a stronger Australian research environment.
Now in its
second year, the “Thank You” Day campaign aims to encourage Australians to
thank medical researchers for their dedication and commitment in striving to
find better treatments and cures for the many diseases affecting our community,
as well as ways to improve our health every day. In turn, researchers have the
opportunity to thank supporters, volunteer groups and donors who make their
vital work possible.
Australian test cricket great, David Boon, one of dozens of sporting legends who have joined the ranks as “Thank You” Day ambassadors, said Australian health researchers, like our sports champions, are leading the world in many areas of endeavour, but most people just don’t realise it.
“Because their work is happening away from the public eye, few Australians truly understand our global leadership in so many vital areas of health and medical discovery,” he said.
““Thank You” Day is the one day of the year everyone should stop, think and thank our un-sung heroes and take pride in their achievements,” said Boon.
Dr Christine Bennett, CEO of Research Australia, said Australians have been responsible for some of the greatest discoveries in medical history, from penicillin and bionic ears, to the role of folate in helping prevent spina bifida, or sleeping babies on their backs to reduce SIDS.
“Australia has a vibrant, world-class research industry dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of the human body to improve community health and well-being. We are at the forefront of cutting edge work such as stem cell research and have a host of world-recognised experts in a wide-range of specialties from melanoma to brain science. With further support, Australian health and medical researchers will continue to create a better tomorrow,” said Dr Bennett.
To send
your message of appreciation simply go to www.thankyouday.org
from 8 October, choose the area of research you’d like to say thanks for – for
example epilepsy
research (click underlined or select brain, nervous system… then epilepsy)
or heart disease, cancer or mental illness - then write your personal note.
Alternatively you can SMS your message to 0428 THANKS (0428 842 657).
Many thanks to Macquarie Bank Foundation, our
Diamond "Thank You" Day 2004 supporter, as well
as our national supporters and partners including National Health and Medical
Research Council, Blake Dawson Waldron, Griffith University, Queensland BioCapital
Funds, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Seven Network, LegionONE,
Ninemsn, Osborn Southgate and Crossman Communications.
