The PKU (Phenylketonuria)
Association of NSW Inc.

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                                  THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who gave to The Challenge. Also to all those that participated in fundraisers to raise funds for The Challenge

                    THE CHALLENGE HONOUR ROLL

Aaron Gambrill Adrianna Campbell Andrew Pryor Angela Brischetto Antonello Tilocca Antony Blanch Barker Constructions Pty Ltd (Travis & Sondra Barker) Bob Beath Camelo Previte Carol McGree Cathy Duncan Cheryl Rasmussen Chris King Cleopatra's Temple - Spa & Beauty Centre WA D & K Wallace Damian Cullen Nathan Cullen Daniel Roberts David Hodge Denise Drew Dimity Curran Egidio & Maria Emmi Emily Cooper FM Gainsford G & J Ridolfo Gemma Paul Georgina Fleming Gino & Rose Pruscino Giuseppe Angemi Helen Cullen HMA Twomey Patterson Cootamundra HMA Twomey Patterson Wagga James Martel James Robertson Jenna Fallon Julie Smart Kerrie Walsh Kim Mason Kylie Thompson Lindy Chalmers Marc Dovico Marion Finlay Matt Paterson Matt Woolnough Matthew Chan Peacock Gardens Maureen & Terry Pankhurst Merralee Gordon Micaela Hopkins Naomi Cooney Newhaven Funerals Paul Hopkins Pauline Kanhalikhan Peter & Janice Volling Phoebe Payten Rachel Overton Rocco Perna Rodney Buttriss Roshan Sahukar Rositano Quality Furniture Ruth Andrews Salvatore Mameli Sarah Bennetts

We reached THE CHALLENGE. Thank you to everyone for your donations, fundraisers and support of The Challenge. We could not have done it without you all. This will keep the momentum going for the research team at Westmead Hospital into vital research of PKU.

Thank you to Kylie Thompson who arranged a morning tea to raise funds for The Challenge and also Kate Hopkins & Amy who raised funds by participating in an Adventure Challenge to assist with The Challenge. Great work guys.

The Research Team at the Children’s Hospital Westmead, under the guidance of Professor John Christodoulou, have been working tirelessly on several PKU Research fronts. You will all be aware of the research underway with the mice colony trialling a genetically modified probiotic which may improve Phe blood levels in PKU patients. This research, with the involvement of Dr Tong and Naz Al Hafid (Rotary PKU Research PhD Scholar), is progressing steadily with test tube experiments and early studies in the PKU mouse showing some positive results. The Research team have also been investigating the possibility of correcting ‘nonsense mutations’ in the PKU gene, work being undertaken by Gladys Ho as part of her PKU PhD studies, which could hopefully trick the faulty PKU gene to make functional PKU enzyme in the liver. If successful, such a therapy could be potentially of benefit for the 10% of PKU patients who have nonsense mutations. The Research Team is very positive on the above mentioned research and is grateful for the support from The PKU Association’s family and friends.

Unfortunately, we have hit a snag. Over the last few years, The Rotary Health Foundation of Australia has been a great supporter of the PKU Research underway at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. However, due to financial constraints, they are no longer able to offer annual grants to medical research projects. Subsequently, a large portion of our annual research funding has disappeared. We’d like to thank The Rotary Health Foundation of Australia for their past support and hope that they can return at some time in the near future to assist with the ongoing funding of PKU Research.

To resolve our Research Funding shortfall, an opportunity has arisen. A local PKU family has put out ‘The Challenge’ to the PKU Community and beyond. If we can raise $25,000 by 25th June 2012 outside of our other scheduled fundraisers, they will match the funds dollar for dollar.

This is a wonderful opportunity to raise $50,000 towards the funds required to maintain the Research Team at Westmead Hospital so that they can continue their vital research in aiding people with PKU. If you are able to make an immediate contribution to this challenge, please send your donation to our PO Box 274, West Pennant Hills, NSW 2125, go to our website to THE CHALLENGE and make a donation or contact a committee member. Alternatively, donations can be made directly into our bank account (BSB: 032 718, A/C: 153248) As the Association obtains a Charitable Fundraising Authority, all donations over $2.00 are tax deductible.

If you have some fundraising ideas and would like us to help you get your initiative out there, please contact us at pkunsw@gmail.com with your idea and will assist you with promotion via our website & Facebook page.

Should you have any questions regarding this challenge, please feel free to contact PKU Association President, Andrew McDonald on 0421 708 657.

Donate now!

The PKU (Phenylketonuria) Association of NSW Inc.