Welcome to the Spring 2024 edition of Vision Voice.
We lead this edition with the announcement that our new community support service, Eye Connect, is now available to people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a significant moment for the macular disease community given a service of this kind has not been available in Australia up until now.
Do you have macular disease? If so, you can participate in our latest social impact survey which will help us learn more about how we can better support you. Details about how to get involved are included in this latest newsletter.
Also featured is an opinion piece written by Patron Ita Buttrose AC OBE entitled, “What kind of country lets its older citizens go blind?” Syndicated across News Corp newspapers, Ms Buttrose’s editorial highlights the need for Australians with macular disease to be able to access more affordable treatments.
We are pleased to announce that The Hon. Jillian Skinner AM, NSW government’s former Minister for Heath and Minister for Medical Research, is joining us as an Ambassador to help raise the voice of the macular disease community. Get to know Jillian and find out her perspectives on how governments can better support the macular disease community.
If you’re wondering what to make for dinner, our new Healthy Choices recipe from celebrity chef Luke Mangan should provide some beneficial inspiration. This recipe is informed by our new AMD Nutrition Guidelines which we encourage you to read. And while we’re on the subject of cooking, former cook and MDFA’s newest Volunteer Community Ambassador, Shane Somerville, tells his uplifting story about living with macular dystrophy.
Finally, we’re excited to let you know that we have a new Peer Support Group session planned in the Northern Territory. Details about how you can join us are available in this edition.
You can download the newsletter below, or order a printed copy to be sent to you in the mail.
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The Hon. Jillian Skinner AM becomes MDFA Ambassador
MDFA is pleased to announce that NSW government’s former Minister for Health and Minister for Medical research, the Hon. Jillian Skinner AM, has joined as our newest Ambassador.