MSA Trust

Brain disease charity announces new Chair

For immediate release: Wednesday 25 June 2014

Clare Fowler, Emeritus Professor of Uro-Neurology CBE, has been appointed as the new Chair for the Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust).

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that results in premature death. It leads to problems with movement, balance and automatic bodily functions such as speech, bladder and blood pressure control. There is currently no known cause or cure for MSA which affects around 3000 people in the UK (approximately 5 per 100,000).

Professor Fowler practised at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London for most of her working life where she founded the Department of Uro-Neurology. While caring for many patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) she was struck by how relatively little was known about the condition.

She was involved with the MSA Trust when it was set up in 1997 by Sarah Matheson. In 2005 Professor Fowler set up a Research Advisory Panel to advise the Trust on the allocation of grants for MSA research. And in 2010, after retirement from full-time work, she became a Trustee and has played a key role on the Trust’s Research Committee.

Commenting on her appointment, she said:

“I have felt strongly about the need to try and help people affected by MSA and their families for many years. I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Trust and hope to bring to the task my medical knowledge relating to an understanding of the disease MSA and of the current and possibly anticipated future lines of research. That on-going research is important for the Trust’s supporters, patients and their relatives alike has been clearly demonstrated through Trust membership feedback.

“Our vision is a world free of MSA and while it is a very complex disease, every research project we fund, brings us a step closer to discovering the cause and cure.”

“I also know very well how important support is for people with MSA, and see that as being an equal priority for the Trust to pursue and go some way to tackling the isolation that often goes hand in hand with having a rare disease.”

“I would like to pay special thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Michael Evans. Mike became involved with the Trust after the death of his mum, Catherine, from MSA in 2001. Not only has he raised thousands of pounds for the Trust in a personal capacity but he has worked closely with the Trust’s staff team to ensure the charity is well positioned to help people now and in the future.”

As well as appointing a new Chair, Karen Walker has been selected as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Resources, Audit and Governance Committee.

Karen became involved in setting up a support group for MSA patients and carers in Yorkshire in 2007. She knew the Trust’s founder, Sarah Matheson, in the 1980s and wanted to support the Trust in her memory. Karen joined the Board of Trustees in December 2009 and became Chair of the Services Committee responsible for the Trust’s support and information activities.

She said today:

“The MSA Trust is extremely close to my heart and I am committed to helping the charity continue to grow and develop in the years to come. I have a strong financial, human resources and operations background and I believe these skills will be essential in ensuring that the governance of the Trust is robust. We are a small charity and it is particularly essential that we use our funds as effectively as possible to support people with MSA and to fund vital research.”

―   ENDS   ―

Contact:

Franca Tranza, Head of Communication: 07718 426076

Nickie Roberts, Executive Director (Mission): 07794 480172

Notes to editors:

A photo of Professor Fowler can be found:

https://www.msatrust.org.uk/the-trust/the-trustees/

Find out more about the Trust and MSA:

www.msatrust.org.uk


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