As the search for MND treatments and a cure continues, we’re investing in Care research to support Australia’s MND community.
2025 Care investment
Our investment into Care focuses on three key priorities, developed in consultation with the MND community:
- Evidence: funding care-focused research to inform the best practices for supporting people with MND, their families and their carers.
- Standards: investing in the creation of national standards and guidelines for MND care.
- Support: providing targeted support through organisations delivering MND care and services.
These efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for Australians living with MND and their caregivers.
2025 Care investment
In 2025, we’ve invested $1.4 million into research and programs supporting Australians living with MND. This includes four Care research projects, the first Care-focused Clinical Care PhD Scholarship and Grant-in-Aid, and ongoing commitment to MND Australia’s Lived Experience Network. This investment supports research and programs aiming to enhance the quality of life for Australians living with MND.
Some of the key Care research projects funded by FightMND include:
- The development of toolkits to help manage issues like swallowing difficulties and weight loss.
- Understanding how dietary fat affects those living with MND to help provide clear, practical and personalised nutrition guidance.
- Mapping how MND care coordinators are used across Australia to make access more consistent and equitable.
- Using machine learning to improve the use of non-invasive ventilators.
Each of these initiatives plays a vital role in supporting those living with MND, their families and caregivers.
Meet our researchers
Dr Alison Yaxley and Elizabeth Kapur
For people living with MND, simple everyday actions like eating, drinking and swallowing can become major hurdles. At Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, Dr Alison Yaxley and Elizabeth Kapur are developing a practical, web-based toolkit to make managing these challenges easier.
Their project, MND Ed, aims to give people living with MND and their families access to clear, evidence-based information to support nutrition and swallowing throughout the disease journey.
As the first recipients of the Chris Ross MND Research Grant, Alison and Liz are creating a trusted, patient-centred resource co-designed with people living with MND and their carers. Helping them make informed choices for as long as possible.
Our impact in Care
FightMND first started investing in Care initiatives in 2017. This was expanded in 2024 with the introduction of Australia’s first Care Research Grant Program. Today, we continue to strengthen our commitment to improving MND Care in Australia through both research and support.
Our Care research projects focus on:
- Innovations to improve quality of life and extend survival.
- Providing evidence to inform best practice MND care.
In addition to research, we have supported a range of projects and initiatives to benefit Australia’s MND community. This includes:
- Developing national clinical care guidelines for MND.
- Producing educational resources to raise awareness and understanding.
- Providing assistive tools to improve life for those living with MND.
- Supporting a range of vital services for the MND community.
It is important to note that FightMND is not a care service provider. This is the role of:
- MND Australia
- MND and Me Foundation
- MND New South Wales
- MND Queensland
- MND Tasmania
- MND Victoria
- MND Western Australia
- MND South Australia
- other organisations working to serve the MND community.
Our investment into Care-focused research and initiatives aims to complement and support these organisations as they work to improve the lives of Australians living with MND, their families and the people caring for them.
The fight is not over
We are so proud of all we have achieved together, but there’s more to do.
Investment into Care initiatives is equally important. Delivered by the national and state associations, and those caring for those with MND, these initiatives can have a real and positive impact on those affected by MND.
We can’t do this alone. We need your continued support to help:
- fund care-focused research to inform best practice MND care
- improve the quality, accessibility and consistency of care for people impacted by MND
- grow awareness of MND.
Your continued support helps us to continue accelerating progress towards finally beating the Beast that is MND.