Meet Seamus. Seamus is four. Seamus has two imaginary friends, Justa & Gunk. Gunk in particular causes a fair bit of trouble. For example, if there is drawing on the living room wall, it is Gunk that gets the blame.That’s not all. Seamus has a cousin, Blade. Blade carries a gene called ALD. Blade is dying. Seamus has an older cousin, Jordan. Jordan carries a gene called ALD. Jordan has just undergone a bone marrow transplant.Seamus carries a gene called ALD. ALD or adrenoleukodystrophy is a rare genetic disease affecting 1 in 18000 boys. It is an x-linked gene, which means that it most severely affects boys and men. This brain disorder destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain’s neurons — the nerve cells that allow us to think and to control our muscles. The most devastating form of ALD appears in childhood, generally between the ages of four and ten years old. Normal, healthy boys suddenly begin to regress. At first, they simply show behavioral problems, such as withdrawal or difficulty concentrating. Gradually, their symptoms grow worse, including blindness and deafness, seizures, loss of muscle control, and progressive dementia. This relentless downward spiral leads to either death or permanent disability, usually within 2 to 5 years from diagnosis. The majority of other cases of the disease occur as the adult form, known as AMN. In about half of the sons who inherit the mutated ALD gene, symptoms of the disease do not develop until young adulthood, and in general, they progress more slowly. (Source: http://www.stopald.org/what-is-ald ) Seamus and his family are blessed to have beautiful (non-imaginary) friends who care for Seamus and seek to raise funds to help research for ALD and support boys like Seamus.
Category Archives: Club Welfare
… Vale – Dr John McDonald
Dr John McDonald has had a long involvement in management of patients with cancer, beginning with training in pathology at Guy’s Hospital, London, where he gained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians. On returning to 
Australia, he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. He worked as a Clinical Haematologist at the Royal Childrens’ Hospital, Melbourne, and as assistant Physician to Outpatients at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, as well as in his private practice. John returned to Albury as a specialist physician. John McDonald joined the Rotary Club Albury Hume on the 17thSeptember 2008. He was elected to the Board in 2009/10, was president elect in 2010/11 and President in 2011/12. As a Rotarian he set a wonderful example giving of his heart, mind and capacity in everything he did. John had a vision of life one can only describe as panoramic. He was creative, talented, as was evident by the writing of his book” The Mind and the Matter” as was his humility, a quality most endearing. Embraced in his dedication to his book he wrote “This book is dedicated to the patients, who have taught me everything.” One of his strongest characteristics was his happiness, his laugh that came from deep within and the light of sheer joy in his eyes. These are the things those who knew him well will recall when they think of him. Throughout his medical career and his love for humanity he made a positive difference to the lives of many who came in contact with him. His extraordinary courage in facing his approaching death was remarkable. Some men go through life never seen, never heard and never lay a brick, but John McDonald had been seen, has been heard and has made a significant contribution.
From Margaret Margaret is so thankful to all at our club for our sincere condolences. The flowers she said were magnificent – John’s and her favourite colours. She will acknowledge John’s love of Rotary at a future time
Club Welfare
Comings and Goings. We welcome back Julie Frauenfelder from Noosa. Terry Simmonds should also be heading back after a week on the sunny Sunshine Coast. Regular visitors and ex member and now retired Peter Isbister and wife Helen are planning some great trips.
General Information. President John keeping up his brave fight to overcome his illness and we all wish him well.
Member Achievement. So many members giving their time and effort outside of Rotary to other needy community causes. I wish you would let me know about these to share with other club members. Congratulations to Justin and Tabitha on their new arrival Seamus Joseph born on 17 May now our youngest member. Mum and baby both well.
Tony Brandt Resigns. Tony Brandt resigned from the club last week citing the pressure of additional work in his role of President of Wodonga TAFE Board. With the Victorian Government funding being reduced by one third his involvement will be increased with the restructure of the facility. Tony was inducted into the Rotary Club of Albury Hume on the 16th April 1978 under the classification Law – Private Practice. During that time he has been president (1984-85), secretary on a number of occasions and served on the board in most portfolios. He has also been made a Paul Harris Fellow. During his 34 years with the club he has had 20 year of 100% attendance.
Club Welfare
Comings and goings All reported on and all is quiet but soon many members tripping off to the Gold Coast to escape our winter chills.
Member Achievement Dennis Martin is to be congratulated on his running of the Easter Hockey Carnival in Albury -‐ with 29 local and interstate teams and 4 from Taiwan. Well done Dennis. A big welcome to Dan Sawyer on his induction as a member of our club and we were delighted to meet Dan’s partner Chiquita. Also great to see Ben the Chemist once again visiting our Club I hope he will join us soon. Congrats to Bill Stirling on his 32 years as a member and what a wonderful Rotarian and a great guy Fantastic that Wendy Killeen travels all the way from Rutherglen to be at our meetings and it’s not because she has to get her hair done.! Great talk by member Paul Armstrong on his and Marcia’s second sojourn in South America – what an experience so aptly told by Paul. Our thoughts are with President John fighting to overcome his illness with Margaret by his side and President elect Peter Lee has returned home and hopefully we can catch up with both soon.
Thought for the Week
Our Personal Challenge of Rotary in 2012
What is our challenge in the year 2012 in respect of our commitment to Rotary. Granted Rotary life must always take third place behind our commitments to 1- family – 2 – to our business life. But if we are to be sincere to the principles of Rotary –“The Four Way Test” then let us endeavour to find a place in our busy lives and appreciate the challenges that daily come our way and the opportunity to display “The Four Way Test”. It’s how re react to the daily challenges that come our way whereby we can make a difference. I believe that our contract with Rotary as a member is to be watchful and on the look out for basic service. I love the true story contained in the Rotary Down Under in the editor, Bob Aiken’s column.
At a Washington D C Metro station on a cold wintry morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During this time, about 2000 people passed by on their way to the station. Only a handful of people-six in fact – stopped and listened for a short while. Several children wanted to stay longer but on each occasion accompanying adults dragged them away. About 20 people gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. The man finished playing and silence took over. No one applauded. There was no recognition. The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. On that cold day, he played one of the most complicated pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3-5 million. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where seats averaged $100 per ticket!
The theme of this story is “If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, on one of the best instruments ever made-how many other obvious things are we missing?”