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Snowflake the bear is among items being donated to be auctioned.<\/p>\nAN online fundraiser is planned to help people who suffer from rare autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis, with Ballarat region artists encouraged to contribute work to be auctioned.<\/p>\n
Also known as MG and as \u2018snowflake disease\u2019 because, like snowflakes, the symptoms are unique in the way they impact each patient, Myasthenia Gravis is a condition that affects Ballarat woman Susie Stroud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was diagnosed back in 2008,\u201d said Stroud, a professional florist who is keen to raise awareness of the upcoming online auction now in its third year and run by Myasthenia Alliance Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in my late 40\u2019s and after long and complicated research to find what was causing my eye drooping, double vision, fatigue in my limbs and continuous headaches, I went to visit an optometrist they correctly guessed that I had MG,<\/p>\n
Snowflake the bear is among items being donated to be auctioned.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI needed to get an appointment with a professor who had dealt with MG in Melbourne who, after a few tests in hospital, diagnosed MG.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stroud said she is now stable thanks to her neurologist, GP, husband and medication, but MG is a long-term chronic illness that sufferers must learn to live with.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had great treatment called IVIG and Rituxumab and I attend hospital once every four weeks and get this product that helps with my everyday living. Thank you Grampians Health and the medical day ward,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Stroud said she will be donating a vase for the upcoming online auction while friends are also pitching in with donations.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have also got a beautiful bear called Snowflake from a lovely friend who handmade him. I have another friend who is creating a crochet rug using snowflakes in the design,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf any artists would like to donate a painting or two\u2026 they can go to the national Myasthenia Alliance Australia website and it will start to go live in May.<\/p>\n
\u201cSubmissions are open until the end of June and the auction will open online on 22 June and close on 28 June.\u201d<\/p>\n
Successful bidders for auctioned items will be announced on 3 July. Items will be shipped on 6 July, Stroud said.<\/p>\n