Episode 6 - Closing In On A Cure

An evening of laughter reviewing Doddie Aid and looking at the 2023 Six Nations and World Cup with Jill Douglas and Scottish Rugby legends and Foundation Ambassadors Jim Hamilton, Andy Nicol and Rob Wainwright...

Introducing our exciting new ‘Ask the Expert’ series, where you, the MND community choose the topic, ask the questions, and get the chance to engage live with world leading MND experts. The most voted for topic for this session was ‘Identifying the Causes of MND’, so we asked Professor Kevin Talbot, Consultant Neurologist, head of department and professor of motor neurone biology at the University of Oxford Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences to join the session to answer your questions. The session covered a range of questions, many of which centred around two main themes: ‘Is MND hereditary’ and ‘Does exercise impact your chances of developing MND’. We aim to release a new episode once per quarter, so please keep an eye on our social media channels for details on how to vote on the next topic, and to submit your questions. This session was originally streamed live on our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channels on 13 September. Thank you to Keith at Woosh Events and the Wel Podcast Studio for producing the stream.

Doddie and Jill are joined by former South Africa international turned winemaker Schalk Burger, EPCR Chairman and Sporting Wine Club founder Simon Halliday and mouth artist and former Saracens academy player Henry Fraser in this episode. Together they discuss how the idea for the new wine, Doddie'5 Red Blend, came about and what it represents. They also sample the goods and discuss what it tastes like, whilst looking ahead to the hotly anticipated Test series between the British & Irish Lions and South Africa. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Doddie and Jill are joined by former Scotland international Kenny Logan to discuss the partnership between the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the British & Irish Lions and fundraising plans for the summer, with much excitement around the release of a new red wine and gin as well! Plus, we hear about how the big man has been challenging the MND experts and the hope that lessons might be learned from the rollout of the Covid vaccine, which could help to reduce the time it takes for trials to take place with MND in future. And, we hear from Hania Thompon on the wide-ranging fundraising attempts that are taking place and from Alex Glynne-Percy on the all-important digital side of the work the foundation does. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Doddie and Jill are back and chatting all things Six Nations and British & Irish Lions as well as catching up on how the big man is after an eventful time of things recently. Scotland legend Scott Hastings and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation's medical strategy lead Sean McGrath join in as well as we find out about a couple of exciting breakthroughs in MND research and hear about the success of Doddie Aid and plans for it to be bigger and better next year. And, we hear about how questions are being asked of government to step up and the beautiful sound of Doddie's Dream also features. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments. 

The big man’s back with buckets of festive cheer to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and with a hugely positively outlook for the New Year as well. Doddie and Jill are joined by the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’s medical strategy lead Sean McGrath and two prominent campaigning MND patients in Dave Setters and Lee Millard to discuss the research work going on and, particularly, the serious lack of funding. There is a real drive to secure more financial support from government and former Scotland international Rob Wainwright joins in to give us all the details on Doddie Aid 2021 and how to get involved. All info can be found at www.doddieaid.com. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Jill and Doddie are joined by head of palliative care for the Scottish Borders and trustee of the Foundation Dr Annabel Howell, MND Scotland advocacy worker Carla Belkevitz and Head of National Care at MND Association Pauline Matheson-Marks for the latest Dodcast. The big man shares how he's doing and his experiences of accessing help and support, we find out exactly what is available and how it varies so much from area to area, discuss how everyone's needs are different and look at how people are informed about what's available in the immediate aftermath of their diagnosis. The support is out there and hopefully this will help outline what there is and how to access it. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Doddie and Jill are joined by the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation's medical strategy lead Sean McGrath and Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi of King’s College London to discuss clinical trial design, biomarkers, gene therapy and stem cell research, as well as complementary therapies, and there is a real sense of optimism that a cure for MND is closer than we might think. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments. 

Doddie's back and so are the family as he, Kathy and son Hamish tell us what it's been like living with MND in lockdown on the farm. There's an air of positivity as we look ahead to future episodes on the latest research and developments in the search for treatments and Doddie's former team-mate Carl Hogg gets in on the action too. Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments. 

Doddie's back and wife Kathy also joins the Dodcast as Jill Douglas checks in for a short episode to discuss self-isolating on the farm in lambing season and the importance of wine deliveries. Doddie calls for Health Secretary Matt Hancock to include all MND patients on the very vulnerable list when it comes to Coronavirus and, although physio, treatment, research and fundraising are on hold, the message is one of positivity and there is a big birthday to look forward to! Supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.