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CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2007
It is always satisfying to report each year that the Neurological Foundation has increased its research budget, and 2007 is no exception with the research budget reaching $1.6 million. This could not be done without the ongoing generosity of our supporters.
The Foundation also received a record number of grant applications which is a reflection of the growth and diversity in neuroscience research. In the July 2007 grant round, then Foundation approved projects ranging from brain research at cellular levels to statistical analysis of traumatic brain injury. Another large round is being processed now, for Scientific Advisory Committee and Council meetings in late November.
That the support of Neurological Foundation for neurological research is making an impact internationally as well as in New Zealand was clearly demonstrated in March this year when a major study by Professor Richard Faull and Dr Maurice Curtis of the University of Auckland was the cover story in the leading journal Science. Their identification of a “repair pathway” within the human brain gained worldwide coverage. This discovery of a fundamental feature of the brain has opened up an exciting new field of research which hopefully will lead to treatments and cures for many neurological disorders. The discovery was the culmination of eight years of collaborative study by teams led by Professor Faull and Professor Peter Eriksson of the Arvid Carlsson Institute for Neuroscience, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Professor Faull is also the director of the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. Dr Curtis, who was the lead author of the paper, was working in Sweden on a Neurological Foundation Phillip Wrightson Postdoctoral Fellowship, while a member of Prof Faull’s team, Monica Kam, is supported by a Neurological Foundation Miller Scholarship. The fostering of young scientists is an important role for the Foundation and one in which we take great pride.
But 2007 has proven to be a significant year in other ways for the Foundation. Our biggest achievement, without doubt, was the campaign to establish a Chair (Professor) of Clinical Neurology at the University of Auckland. Initially the financial goal of $4 million was daunting but as the campaign gathered momentum it became clear that it had solid support from within both the neurological/neuroscience and the wider community – all recognized the need to progress clinical research and the establishment of the Chair was seen as an important step in this direction.
After months of hard work by our staff, volunteers, neurologists and neuroscientists the campaign reached a critical point where it was possible to commit to the Chair going forwards. Although the fundraising campaign is still ongoing, thanks to the generosity of our members and many supporters throughout the country what was a dream is about to become a reality. The recruitment process is underway and we will have the Neurological Foundation Professor of Clinical Neurology in place in 2008.
It is a brilliant achievement to see this long held vision realized and without the support of our membership it would not have been possible. Thank you for your vision, trust
and generosity. I would also like to acknowledge the significant support we received from the following donors and charitable trusts:
David Levene Charitable Trust, Douglas Trust, Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate, Neuren Pharmaceuticals, Ara Lodge No 348 I.C. Charitable Trust, Century and Perry Foundations, Alan Priest, Tony Gibbs, St Lazarus Trust Board, Robert Cooper, Anonymous Trust, Hugh Green Trust, ABN Amro Craigs, Biogen Idec Australia Pty Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline NZ Ltd, H B Williams Turanga Trust, Ara Lodge No 348 Irish Constitution, The W and WAR Fraser Trust and the Taylor Trust administered by the Guardian Trust.
I would also like to acknowledge our campaign volunteers, the quiet achievers, who worked diligently behind the scenes to guarantee its success. In particular, my thanks to Professor Richard Faull and Dr Barry Snow for their passion and persistence, it was both inspiring and contagious. Special acknowledgement must also go to our campaign volunteers Greg Thompson (Campaign Manager), Peter Shaw, David Clarke, Robert Cooper, Catherine Roberts, James Hellaby, Dr Philip Parkin, Dr Lindsay Haas and Dr Allan Wright.
While the Chair of Clinical Neurology campaign was a high point for the Foundation’s year, all of the rest of the Foundation’s work continued and I would like to express my gratitude to the members of the Council and the Scientific Advisory Committee, ably led by Barry Snow, volunteers in the Divisions throughout New Zealand and the staff at the National Office and the Community Liaison Officers who have all contributed so much to this very successful year. Philip Parkin retired after 20 years of service to the Foundation as the Neurological Association representative on the Council. Dr Parkin retains his close interest in the Foundation and his association with our Canterbury Division. I wish to welcome Christchurch neurosurgeon Janusz Bonkowski, a former member of the Scientific Advisory Committee, to the Council.
Finally, I want to emphasize the importance to the Neurological Foundation of our supporters and my gratitude for their generosity. The Foundation has been able to make a real and lasting contribution to the health of the nation and to getting a better understanding of these devastating neurological disorders because we have had very considerable financial support from members of the community. This has enabled us to commit $1.6 million in new research this year and to establish a clinical research project next year and beyond at an additional $200,000 a year. When I joined the Neurological Foundation in 1990 the research expenditure was $340,000 and the future commitment to research $534,000 (projects approved to be carried out over the following three years). The equivalent figures at 31 March 2007 are $1,273,000 and $3,031,000. Even allowing for inflation this is a very substantial increase in the volume of research funded by the Foundation and entirely due to the generosity of the Foundation’s supporters. I look forward to a further growth in our research programme next year and beyond.
Ian Robertson
Chairman
National Council
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2006
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2005
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2004
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2003
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2002
Click here to view the Chairman's Report 2001
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