General News
29 April, 2022
Cairns Commemorates Moyamoya Day And Its Survivors
WORLD Moyamoya Day, on May 6, acknowledges and celebrates survival for those who suffer from this disease.
Moyamoya disease is a rare, progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain in an area called the basal ganglia.
The name “moyamoya” means “puff of smoke” in Japanese and describes the look of the tangle of tiny vessels formed to compensate for the blockage.
Registered charity Moyamoya Australia holds several events in Cairns to increase awareness of the disease, raise funds and support patients and their families. These events include the Smokey Blue Rally and the Great Blue Pigeon Race.
To commemorate World Moyamoya Day, Moyamoya Australia has a range of activities and events planned.
On Friday, May 6, local councils will light up in blue to mark the occasion in ‘Blue for Moyamoya Day’; on Saturday, May 7, the charity will celebrate the Aussie Locums Blue Tie Gala at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns.
Founder of Moyamoya Australia, Nicola Baker, said the Blue Tie Gala would be an exciting event with lots of surprises.
“We have had a team of dedicated volunteers fundraising for us for the past 12 months, and at the Aussie Locums Blue Tie Gala Ball, we are excited to be making some announcements,” Ms Baker said.
“At the Blue Tie Ball in 2021, we announced a gift of $10,000 to Macquarie University Neurosciences for their research into Moyamoya Disease.
“This year, we are very excited to hear from Professor Marcus Stoodley, head of Macquarie Neurosciences, about what they have achieved.
“We were also able to announce several small grants to families and patients of Moyamoya disease.”
Nicola Baker is the mother of a Moyamoya warrior, Jed, who had his first stroke at 11 months old.
When Jed was first diagnosed, after some years of not knowing why Jed was so unwell, there was very little information or support for anyone suffering from Moyamoya Disease.
This rare disease can cause strokes and bleeding in the brain. It is progressive, and it has no cure.
Moyamoya Australia has been established to raise awareness of this disease and support those living with it.
“We celebrate World Moyamoya Day each year on May 6 and work tirelessly to share our story so that this disease is not misdiagnosed,” Ms Baker said.
Moyamoya Australia wants to encourage people to participate in the Blue Tie Gala Ball to raise funds for research on Moyamoya disease and support patients.
It is an occasion for people to dress nicely in blue, savour a three-course meal and a four-hour drinks package, receive a lovely gift bag and enjoy live entertainment for a good cause.
TO ACQUIRE TICKETS FOR THE BLUE TIE GALA, VISIT: https://www.moyamoyaaustralia.org.au/product/blue-tie-ball/ or click on https://bit.ly/3LqKpF4
