Michelle’s legacy: a future free of MND 

Michelle has chosen to remember her beautiful son Robbie with a gift in her Will to FightMND

Robbie Caliste was a remarkable and vibrant young man. He cherished his work at the MCG, enjoyed living in a share house with friends, and was an avid supporter of both the St Kilda Saints and Melbourne Victory. However, his world was shaken to its core when he received devastating news at just 34 years old: Robbie was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND)

Faced with this monumental challenge, Robbie exhibited extraordinary courage. His family, led by his parents John and Michelle, rallied around him, creating the “Caliste Bubble” and providing round-the-clock love and care. The Caliste family navigated sleepless nights, physical hardships, and the heart-breaking progression of Robbie’s MND. 

After a brave battle against the “Beast”, Robbie passed away peacefully at home, aged just 36. His story echoes the experiences of many others affected by MND, highlighting the pressing need for advanced research, improved treatments, and ultimately, a cure. 

To honour Robbie, Michelle has generously chosen to include a gift to FightMND in her Will, driven by the hope that other families might be spared the anguish her family endured.  

“We made a promise that we would try and help find a cure for those who have to live with MND like our son Robbie.” 

Michelle and Robbie Caliste with Neale Daniher in 2017.

By including FightMND in your Will, you can join Michelle by investing in a future where MND no longer devastates lives. While significant progress has been made, the journey towards a cure requires substantial time and resources. Your legacy could be a brighter future for all those impacted by MND, helping to fund world-leading cure research and care initiatives.

We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have about including a gift in your Will to FightMND. For a confidential discussion, please email Eloise Shepherd at [email protected] or call us on 1800 344 486 and ask for our gifts in Wills team.   

Together, we can invest in world leading MND cure research and care initiatives. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for all those affected by this devastating condition.  

Together we can beat the Beast and strive towards a future free of MND.