About us
The Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation has been established with the very specific goal of finding a cure or preventive strategy for multiple sclerosis.
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In contrast to a number of other charities, the Foundation is staffed by a team of dedicated, unpaid volunteers and every dollar raised is placed into research. The Directors of the Foundation cover the administrative expenses.
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The Foundation is named after Trish Langsford who, having lost her battle with multiple sclerosis, passed away at the age of 30.
The Foundation is working in association and very closely with MS Research Australia, and with researchers around Australia, towards our common goal.
Please click here to read about MS
Dr Brendan Nelson and Hon Barry O'Farrell, the Foundation's Joint Patrons
The Trish Foundation is honoured and privileged that former Leader of the Federal Opposition, Dr Brendan Nelson and the Premier of NSW, Hon Barry O'Farrell are the Joint Patrons of the Foundation. We wish to record our sincere gratitude to Brendan and Barry for their extraordinary support of the Trish Foundation since inception.
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“Trish Foundation has dispensed the most powerful and fragile of human emotions – hope.”
– Dr Brendan Nelson, Joint Patron of Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation
"No-one should stand in the way of finding a cure for the type of illness that took Trish Langsford from her family and friends."
- Hon Barry O'Farrell, Joint Patron of Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation
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Joint Patron of the Trish Foundation, Dr Brendan Nelson and his wife Gillian
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Click here to read Dr Nelson's comments about Trish Langsford.
Honorary Scientific Research Committee
The Foundation has a very eminent honorary Scientific Research Committee to advise the Foundation Board on applications for research.
Professor John Pollard, Head of Clinical Neurology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Sydney University, Emeritus Professor James McLeod, his immediate predecessor (and Chairman), Professor Peter Russell, former Head of Anatomical Pathology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Dr. John Walsh, a Senior Neurologist, comprise the Committee. Professor McLeod was Chairman of the Medical and Research Advisory Board of MS Australia for many years.
The Foundation considers itself very privileged to have such a committed and eminent Scientific Research Committee and as Professor Russell said, “Failure is not on our agenda”.
Honorary Board of directors
Sue Woodward
Jenny Comanos
Wendy Dodd
David Dodd
Roy Langsford OAM
Carol Langsford OAM (Chairman)
Please click here for short bios of our Board members.
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| Imagine a world where one day you are an elite athlete, full of life and vitality, a young woman living out your dreams. |
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| Now imagine that world being stripped away and replaced by a different world, a world that consisted of lying in a nursing home bed, completely paralysed, unable to speak or communicate with your loved ones. |
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That was Trish Langsford’s world.
The Foundation is named after Trish Langsford, who was struck down in the prime of her life by multiple sclerolsis. As well as being an A1 tennis player and first grade hockey player, Trish represented New South Wales in the Open Women’s Cricket Team and captained the Australian Youth Cricket Team against New Zealand. She was also a member of the Australian Squad and was described by cricket writer Amanda Weaver as one of the most gifted players in Australia.
Trish graduated from university with a degree in Human Movement following which she was appointed Development Officer for Women’s Cricket NSW. She enjoyed her job and was very sad when, at the age of 23, she finally had to relinquish the position because of her multiple sclerosis.
At age 30, Trish sadly passed away in 2002 having spent four and a half years in a nursing home with end-stage multiple sclerosis. She was completely paralysed, artificially fed and morphine was administered four hourly during that entire time. She understood everything that was said but unfortunately could not communicate. It is hard to imagine what she could have been thinking.
Prior to Trish passing away, Professor John Pollard a member of the Foundation’s Scientific Research Committee said, “Unfortunately Trish is in end-stage multiple sclerosis; she had the chronic progressive form of the disease and very sadly, no treatment that is found by our research or that of others is going to help Trish at this stage. What is important is that we develop treatments for this disease to prevent patients reaching this end-stage disease.”
Trish’s death wasn’t in vain. Her family and friends watched her suffer and lose her grip on life and are determined to save others from the tragic consequences of this disease.
Read more about Trish the Cricketer
Singer/songwriter Allan Caswell, winner 6 Golden Guitars at Tamworth has written a Song for Trish, 'Brave Enough to Dream'.
You are listening to Allan singing this special song.
Post: PO Box 28, 12 Philip Mall, West Pymble, NSW 2073
Telephone: (02) 9403 3320
Mobile: 0410 410491
Facsimile: (02) 9403 3320
Email: info@trishmsresearch.org.au