Trinity Motor Neurone Disease Research to Benefit from Munster Rugby

Nov 21, 2011

Trinity College Dublin’s Motor Neurone Disease research has been announced as one of Munster Rugby’s nominated charities for this season along with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and cancer research charity C.R.O.S.S. 

Clinical Professor of Neurology at Trinity’s School of Medicine and Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital Professor Orla Hardiman said: “We are delighted to be associated with Munster Rugby and believe that this partnership will help us highlight the importance of research into Motor Neurone Disease aiming to make it treatable.”

Professor Orla Hardiman with Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul Darbyshire, Ronan O’Gara and Paul O’Connell of Munster Rugby prior to a fundraising cycle for Motor Neurone Disease research.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterised primarily by progressive paralysis.  There are no effective treatments for MND with death usually occuring within 3-5 years of symptom onset.  The causes of MND are not well understood.  Some forms are genetic and the condition also occurs with higher than expected frequency in athletes.  Research taking place at Trinity College Dublin aims to reveal a better understanding of the disease which will in turn lead to new solutions so that MND can be a treatable disease for all sufferers.  Ireland is already recognised as a leader in MND research.

Now in its second year, Munster Rugby’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme was initiated in order to formalise Munster’s involvement with charities each season.  Throughout the year Munster Rugby will work closely with each of their nominated charities, providing them with active support on specific projects, and help raise awareness and funds.