Doctor Kristi Jones lives to help those with muscular dystrophy disorders

Dr Kristi Jones has been nominated for the Pride of Australia award for her work helping people with muscular dystrophy disorders

Dr Kristi Jones’ work with muscular dystrophy disorders has seen her earn a Pride of Australia nomination. Pictures: Virginia Young

• STUDENT GIVES BACK TO CENTRE
• DEDICATING LIFE TO OTHERS

Dr Kristi Jones has dedicated her life to treating and researching muscular dyst-rophy disorders.

Dr Jones, who lives in Hunters Hill, is a Professor of Clinical Genetics and Paediatrics whose extensive work in researching genetic diseases and supporting those with muscular dystrophy has seen her nominated for the Pride of Australia awards.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders which cause the progressive breakdown of muscles in the body. About 200,000 Australians live with these disorders.

Her work, however, is all performed in her professional rooms and over a microscope.

Her most recent effort to support those living with muscular dystrophy disorders has been raising more than $1100 for MDNSW through Sugar Free September. Joining her in that project was her 11-year-old daughter Lucinda King.

Dr Jones has served on the Board of Muscular Dystrophy NSW since 2005.

It is an initiative which encourages participants to give up excess sugar to raise awareness and money while also improving their health.

“It’s something that’s really easy to do to contribute to a worthy cause,” said Dr Jones, whose extensive career is astounding.

Her current research interests stem from her PhD and focus on the clinical and genetic diagnosis and therapeutic trials for genetic muscle disease.

She also heads the Clinical Trials Unit in the Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research at the Children’s Hospital Westmead.

Dr Jones has received numerous research grants and scholarships from bodies including Muscular Dystrophy NSW and the National Health and Medical Research Council and has also published a number of peer-reviewed articles on the subject.

Since 2005, she has served on the board of Muscular Dystrophy NSW and in 2013 was named Medical Director.

Dr Jones says her work with the Children’s Hospital at Westmead has been particularly rewarding.

She just raised more than $1100 for MDNSW by taking part in Sugar Free September together with her daughter Lucinda King.

“I lead a team of people at Westmead looking after children with Muscular dystrophy disorders,” she said.

“My job is multi-fold and mostly focuses on improving their medical care and developing an understanding of what these kids can do.

“No-one expects anything of them and their parents are often scared to let them do anything.

“But we focus on their ability rather than their disability and get them to do things, physical things, they usually wouldn’t get to do.”

For information, go to mdnsw.org.au

To nominate

You can nominate someone who has inspired you through their dedication, initiative, courage or acts of charity

They can be a neighbour, a friend, a teammate, a colleague or a relative

For more details and to nominate somebody, visit prideofaustralia.com.au