Doddie Aid, which begins January 1st and continues for the following six weeks, aims to encourage people to get active while raising funds to support research into motor neuron disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Over the last two years, Doddie Aid has raised over £2M to support this cause. An article originally published in the Herald Scotland, and later reported via Yahoo! News, shares that this year’s event has been particularly fruitful. In fact, at the time this article was written, Doddie Aid has raised more than £1M (approx. $1,234,685) in under two weeks.
Funds raised from Doddie Aid support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The Foundation was launched by rugby player Doddie Weir in 2017 with the goal of cultivating a world free of MND. Unfortunately, Weir passed away in November 2022 after his personal battle with MND. Since this is the first Doddie Aid event since Weir’s passing, supporters are turning up more than ever before.
If you’d like to learn more about Doddie Aid and how you can get involved, head to the Doddie Aid website.
An Overview of Motor Neuron Diseases (MND)
Motor neuron disease is aptly named; this group of rare, progressive neurological disorders—including primary bulbar palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—causes nerve cells (motor neurons) to degenerate and die. As these nerves die, they cause muscle weakness. MND is most common in people between 40s-60s. However, it can manifest at other ages. Symptoms related to MND can include:
- Leg or ankle weakness
- More frequent tripping and/or falling
- Difficulty walking, running, or climbing stairs
- Slurred speech
- Weak grip strength and difficulty holding or lifting objects
- Unintentional weight loss
- Inability to stop laughing or crying, even in moments where these emotions do not make sense
- Shortness of breath
- Headaches
- Muscle twitching or cramping
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling
Right now, no cures exist for MND. Treatment options are symptomatic (meaning they help patients to manage symptoms).
