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In memory of Bernadette Allen

By Greg Brady

Garvan brings together world-leading scientists and clinicians, collaborating locally and globally, to advance our understanding of disease, particularly cancer, autoimmunity and genetic disorders.  We are a global leader in fundamental biomedical research and its translation. Our mission is to make discoveries that will improve health for all.  Learn more about Garvan's research here. 

Last year, one of my very closest friends, Bernadette Allen, sadly passed away far too young - she was about to turn 49. Through her entire adult life Bern silently and stoically dealt with a very painful autoimmune disease called Lupus, (or SLE - Systemic Lupus Erythematosus). It's something that few of us really understood, mostly because of Bern's capacity to always be the most cheeky and brightest light in any room. She wouldn't talk about it or complain, and this masked the severity of the significant daily challenges she faced. With Lupus, one's immune system misguidedly attacks the body's own cells and tissues. Inflammation caused by this affects many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. There is currently no cure.
In thinking about how I might honour our Bern and raise some money to help combat this debilitating and little-understood disease, I am going to challenge myself to something that will definitely hurt a lot, (though not as much as what Bern had to endure). I am going to try to run a 31km trail - starting at The Gap, twice over Mount Coot-Tha, and then out to Kangaroo Point. Just writing that sentence gave me pre-emptive calf cramps...but this is certainly worth it. Any money I can raise will go to Australia's Garvan Institute for Medical Research - one of the few places to study Lupus in an effort to find a cure.   https://www.garvan.org.au/research/diseases/lupu
So folks, if you have a spare dollar, please donate - trust me, it will hurt you a lot less than this run is going to hurt me. And for those of you who receive this correspondence and you didn't know Bern, please know she was the best of the best. I don't want anyone to be unwell with anything, but I wish there was something out there years ago that could have offered my completely lovely and faithful friend some relief.

Thanks in advance.

Greg

Please Support My Cause

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Thank you to my Sponsors

$515

Andrew Bruun

Thanks Greg - you're friendship with Bern was beautiful and I love a bloke who put's his body on the line.

$50

Shane Bruun

Cheers buddy

$52.75

Noelle Weatherley

Go, Greg!!

$52.75

Joan O’sullivan

What an inspiration. Good luck.

$105.50

Ut

$105.50

Todd & Mukta

Woof! Twice over Mount Coot-Tha, this would give Bern a good chuckle! 😄All the best for the run Greg!!

$52.75

Jill Fomiatti

What a thoughtful idea and such a great cause. I know you will do well Greg!

$52.75

Jason Pickering

$52.75

Kerri-ann Jardine

Totally worth every leg cramp Greg.

$105.50

Keith Bruun Daphne Scalia

What aman.

$52.75

Gavin Sawford

Fantastic idea Greg, best of luck go easy on your calves. Gavin and Gayle

$52.75

Darren Jarman

I’m so sad to learn here about Bern’s passing. My thoughts and love to you all.

$100

Trent Mcnamara

Lovely thing to do Greg. Run hard old man! 🏃‍♂️

$21.10

Denise Denezza

$105.50

Brett, Mandy & Harriet

Love ya guts Greg

$100

Tammy O’keefe

Good on you Greg! Had a preemptive cramp myself as I read your endeavour then heard Bern’s laugh as I wrote it. Best of luck!

$52.75

Rhonda Ooi

For Bern x

$52.75

Damon Senior

Good luck Greg. A great cause and a great effort for the greatest gal who is greatly missed by us all. Run Greg! Run like the wind!!

$26.38

Ally Kelly

Good on you Greg, you can do it!

$52.75

Sandra Downey

❤️

$105.50

Gabe Brady

Go Greg! Such a worthy cause.

$10.55

Angus Brady

I'm donating my pocket money to this important cause. Even just one extra dollar could help find a cure.

$5.28

Rosie B

I'm using up some of my pocket money to donate to this cause.

$52.75

Amanda Keating

$50

Jan Keating

$52.75

Ant Rees

I"m happy to ride an electric bike next to you the whole way

$52.75

Trevor Ludlow

$26.38

Sean Fleming

$52.75

The Js Of Jones Rd

Great way to honour Bern - go Greg!

$26.38

Karl Schirmer

$26.38

Adele Pickvance

Power to you Greg!

$52.75

Peter Mactaggart

Full points for trying to make a difference Mr Brady

$52.75

Bec Litchfield

A wonderful idea Greg ❤️

$52.75

Michelle Mcbride

You’re a legend Greg!

$31.65

Mark Monnone

$52.75

Anonymous

$26.38

David Hannah