Friday, November 28, 2008

Drug Trial here in Australia

Well it is finally here!.. Recruitment is starting for a "six-month
double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigating the
safety and tolerability of deferiprone in patients with Friedreich's
ataxia. "

This is a world wide study being run in Europe, Australia and Canada.

Criteria seems to be "7 to 35 years of age, has a confirmed genetic
diagnosis of FRDA with number of GAA repeats greater or equal to 400 on
both copies of DNA, has a score between 20 and 85 on a neurological exam
known as Friedreich's Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS), has a negative urine
pregnancy test (if applicable) before the research study starts and is
currently not participating in another research study. "

further information, on

Name: Ms Geneieve Tai

Role: Research Coordinator

Telephone: (03) 8341 6374

cheers all


--
Laurel Hosking
Help FA in SA
mob: 04204 98963
ph: 08 85221167
fax: 08 85221313
laurel@linvid.com

Friday, November 14, 2008

News since the ball...

Hi,

Next month I will be attending the Grants round meeting of FARA(A) in
Melbourne. I recently had a wonderful luncheon meeting with the
Executive Director Varlli Beetham. She had come across to SA to speak
to Trinity College students, who have embraced FARA as their yearly
fundraiser. During this Assembly, the students presented Ms Beetham
with an initial chq for almost $400.... not bad for a couple of gold
coins thrown in a classroom jar.

As a part of this presentation, Billys slide show on FA was shown to the
entire school, and now the major fundraiser of Tea towels is about to
kick off.

As part of our meeting, we discussed the importance to get neurologists
on side here in SA. This is vital for the establishment of any drug
trials here in SA, plus the long term goal of an SA clinic.

As you can guess, I " dobbed in" billys neurologist, who has accepted an
invitation to attend the grants meeting and meet with FARA and be
involved first hand.

As you can see, things are still ticking along.

cheers everyone

Laurel