Reflecting on 2023 with the MSA Trust Team…
As we approach the New Year and bid farewell to 2023 we would like to take a moment to reflect on the past year at the Trust. This is also an opportune time to wish all of our members a happy New Year and to thank all those who have supported us. We have invited the MSAT team to share their reflections and highlight moments from the past year. Please take a moment to read their reflections below:
My highlight of 2023 was running the MSA Trusts first hybrid Study Day for health and care professionals (HCP’s). We understand how frustrating it can be when HCP’s don’t understand the complexities of MSA, and are trying our best to raise awareness among as many professionals as possible. We doubled our usual attendance by having an online and in-person option this year, so at this one event nearly 200 HCP’s learnt all about MSA. It was a big success and we look forward to hopefully running an even bigger day next year.
– Emma Rushton, Information and Services Manager
I am constantly humbled by the loveliness, resilience, humour and appreciation of the people with MSA and their families, it is an honour and privilege to work alongside you all.
– Katie Rigg, MSA Specialist Nurse North of England, Scotland, Isle of Man
I always enjoy attending our online support groups and having the opportunity to hear from and chat with so many amazing people. This year I attended my first in-person MSA support group – a real highlight of my year. Everyone was so welcoming and open, sharing their MSA experiences and tips and asking lots of questions, whilst the fabulous volunteers kept us topped up with tea, coffee and cakes. I’m already looking forward to meeting more of our members in 2024.
– Sam Fitzgerald, Social Welfare Specialist
The highlight of 2023 has been the opportunity to work alongside and support our incredible fundraisers. I am consistently in awe of how families, friends and communities rally together in support of their loved ones affected by MSA. There is no end to the incredible inventiveness of our supporters and I am so excited to see what creative and thrilling fundraisers will happen in 2024. Thank you to everyone who got involved with the Trust this year
– Eleanor Jarvis, Events, Community and Digital Fundraising Officer
I have enjoyed the rise in research interest and activity we have seen at the Trust in 2023 and we are looking forward to this momentum continuing in 2024, as we continue to find the cause and cure for MSA with our research colleagues and collaborators.
– Emma Saunders, MSA Nurse Specialist Midlands and North Wales
2023 was the year when both our MSA Nurse Healthcare Specialist Team and our Social Welfare Specialist Service had been having real difficulties with workloads and capacity. Thankfully we managed to secure time limited funding from the Charities Aid Foundation and latterly, the Lottery Community Fund to help them through this. We were able to recruit new colleagues, meaning we can now help more people as the Trust continues to grow our service and support to those we serve.
– Andy Barrick, Deputy CEO
It has been an honour to work with people living with MSA and their families this year. One of my highlights has been attending the support groups, both in person, and online. It is wonderful to see the MSA community supporting and helping each other, and the feedback is always great. I look forward to welcoming more people to these supports groups in the new year.
-Demelza Stuart, MSA Nurse Specialist for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
A highlight of 2023 was being apart of our Candlelight event. In May this year, over 60 members of our community joined us to remember their loved ones at the MSA Candlelight event in Newry, Ireland. They lit remembrance candles and had poems, readings and music from a local choir making it a lovely way to pay tribute to those sadly lost to MSA. Attendees got an update on MSA research through an informative presentation from Dr Christopher Kobylecki who showed how the Trust is continuing their hunt to find the cause and hopefully the cure for MSA. You can view the presentation below : MSA research update 2023—
Tanya Mitra, Senior Fundraising Officer
2024 will see our new strategy launched, the revision of the research strategy and the 2nd research symposium. Lots to look forward to and plenty for our Trustees to advise and guide us on. I look forward to working with them in the coming year and thank them for their continued commitment to MSA Trust.
– Karen Walker, CEO
Thank you to all our members, donors, trustees and volunteers whose vital contributions make our work possible. On behalf of the entire MSAT team, we extend our warm wishes for a joyful and restful Christmas break. We eagerly anticipate another year of supporting all those affected by MSA and continuing our collective efforts towards our goal of finding the cause and ultimately the cure of MSA.
Wishing you a Happy New Year from all of us at the Multiple System Atrophy Trust!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the blogs published on these pages are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the MSA Trust.
