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So said Nyree Saxby when informed the Great Illawarra Walk had raised just over $125,000.
The money will help the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI) support vital research into Vanishing White Matter Disease (VWMD).
Nyree's daughter Chloe has the rare and terminal brain disease VWMD.
Nyree and Grant Saxby's four-year-long campaign to find a cure for VWMD - and save their daughter Chloe as well as other children - has gained international publicity.
And now - thanks to funds raised by the Illawarra community for research - there is finally a breakthrough.
Lead researcher into VWMD research at IHMRI, Associate Professor Lezanne Ooi, said the funds will keep her dedicated team working towards a potential treatment for the disease.
"Funding for rare diseases is difficult to attract because they may only impact a small proportion of the population," Professor Ooi said.
"Chloe Saxby and Holly Burns from the Illawarra-Shoalhaven, both suffer from VWMD and without this amazing support from the local community, no Australian research would be carried out into this devastating disease."
Prof Ooi says donations from the Great Illawarra Walk have helped fast track the research into VWMD at IHMRI.
"We have found some potentially promising drug treatment options for VWMD and we will now have the financial security to continue this critical research phase over the next 12 months," she said.
"For my team and I, to be again a part of the Great Illawarra Walk and to see the strong support amongst the community is just incredible."
Great Illawarra Walk organiser Chris Lovatt said the community once again failed to disappoint, with 736 people taking part in the 13th annual event.
"We've raised $950,000 in total so far and next year we will continue to support IHMRI and the vital work and research they do," he said.
"I think at this time in our lives and everybody's lives in Australia you can see the value of researchers and finding cures."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
