AROUND 570 friends, family and well-wishers attended Irene Elliott’s “Big Fat Greek Fundraiser” at the Hellenic Club in November to help raise money for a high-risk treatment for Irene’s rapidly advancing multiple sclerosis.
“CityNews” cover girl on October 10, Irene says the very Greek night was a huge success.
“I loved every minute,” she says. “I’d had a rotten flu in the lead-up, but the buzz of it all got me through the night. I had a walking stick and relied on the backs of chairs to get around, but it was brilliant. It was everything I hoped for – positivity, awareness and fundraising.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better night.”
The event raised just under $90,000, which was Irene’s initial target, but there is still a long way to go, she says.
“Donations are coming in all the time, but realistically I’ll need as much as possible to get me where I need to be,” she says.
Some of her applications are in for clinical centres in Israel, India, Russia and Germany, and now it’s a waiting game.
“I’m overwhelmed that my family did all this for me, you know, when one needs something, we pull together,” she says.
Irene has also been helping newly diagnosed patients deal with their situation, with her positivity helping them cope.
“Through the ‘CityNews’ story, a few people with MS have found me, and I love being able to tell them there are options out there, and that you can’t let your life become this disease,” she says.
“You can teach people how to treat you, and you can go on.”
Donate directly to the Irene Cristis Elliott Fund, BSB: 062914, account no: 10860540 or call 0402 907879.
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