MND hit us like a ton of bricks on September 19th when my strong, beautiful, independent younger sister Janine was given this terminal diagnosis.

There is currently no cure for motor neuron disease. Janine describes it as a living hell, trapped in her own body, her brain working and willing her to do things and her body failing her.

Yet there is hope.

Sheffield reseaschers are working to make MND history.

The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is unlike any other in the world. As yet, no single institution anywhere in the world has developed the necessary critical mass and facilities to exploit the potential of modern neuroscience, the 'post-genome' era, and exciting developments in biomedical therapeutics with a specific focus on MND. SITraN brings a coordinated approach to the development and clinical trialling of new therapies based on rational targets of proven preclinical effectiveness.

Since its opening by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, SITraN has grown immensely and developed into a leading global facility which is at the forefront of research and expertise, pioneering new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and bringing new hope to patients and families across the country.

The day my sister Jäninę was diagnosed with MND, I read this...

"A cure for the genetic forms of MND is close, probably 3 years away, and we are hoping for a cure for the sporadic form (90% of patients) within the decade.”

I cannot countenance my life without Janine. Plus, I need to be able to look my gorgeous nephew in the eye and tell him I'm doing all I can to make this countdown to a cure come ever closer.

In October, Janine and I found out that 100% of any fundraising I do can go directly to SITraN via the MND Association and this is where your generous donations will go.