Motor Neurone Disease awareness event
Date: Sat June 18
Time: 11:00am - 5:30pm
Venue: Aberdeen Science Centre (Satrosphere), The Tramsheds, 179 Constitution St, Aberdeen AB24 5TU
Cost: Adults - £5.75
Children 3+ - £4.50
Children under 3 - Free
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive neurological condition that causes degeneration of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord. To mark MND Awareness Week 2016, Aberdeen Science Centre will be hosting a public engagement event on Saturday 18 June, from 11am to 5pm.
Dr Gemma Catton, STEM learning manager at Aberdeen Science Centre, has witnessed how devastating MND is and said "In August 2013, my Mum was diagnosed with MND at the age of 60. Over the next 17 months, she lost the ability to talk and swallow and suffered widespread muscle wastage with physical and respiratory weakness as the disease progressed. Even through such a cruel and devastating illness, my Mum remained so positive and determined and her personality and humour shone through. My wonderful Mum passed away peacefully at home with us in January 2015. She was an incredibly special person and truly was an inspiration to us all.”
The event will showcase and highlight the cutting edge MND research happening in Scotland with opportunities for visitors to meet scientists from the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research. Professor Siddharthan Chandran, director of the Euan MacDonald Centre, said “The mission of the Euan MacDonald Centre is, through research, to improve the lives of people living with MND today with the ultimate aim to beat MND tomorrow. We are very much looking forward to showcasing our work at Aberdeen Science Centre and promoting awareness of MND.”
The event will also highlight the care, services and support the charity MND Scotland provide for people affected by MND. Susan Webster, head of Policy and Campaigns at MND Scotland said “MND Scotland is the only charity funding research and providing care and information for people affected by MND in Scotland. During MND Awareness Week 2016, we will be highlighting the importance of research into this devastating illness and the need to, ultimately, find a cure. It is fantastic that Aberdeen’s Science Centre is hosting this event and we are really looking forward to the day.”
In addition to an interactive awareness and information area on the main exhibition floor throughout the day, Dr Guy Bewick Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen will facilitate a family friendly show - “It’s just the way you move … it’s electric” - exploring nerves, why they are important and how sometimes things can go wrong, leading to disease such as MND.
Dr Guy Bewick, whose research interests explore mechanisms of nerve-muscle connection generation and maintenance, said “Movement is fundamental to all our lives, whether you’re an athlete, or just sitting breathing quietly. Motor neurone disease slowly robs us of these movements. I will show the electrical signals controlling movement and how these techniques in my lab help us search for new drug targets to treat weakness in neuromuscular diseases.”
In advance of the event, Gemma Catton said “I am delighted I am able to use my position at Aberdeen Science Centre to raise awareness of MND and support for the charitable organisations who provide outstanding care and support services and who conduct vital cutting edge research aimed at gaining understanding of this cruel condition and ultimately, hopefully, identifying a treatment and cure."