Albury man fighting motor neurone disease urges community to get behind research funding

An Albury grandfather was told he had 18 months to live. But six years later he’s still here to urge people to get behind MND research. Here’s why.

Stuart Pitson, who has been living with MND for six years, pictured with wife Julie and granddaughter Hallie.

Nearly six years ago Stuart Pitson was told he had 18 months to live after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Today he is going strong and urging Albury Wodonga residents to support research with a simple purchase.

Mr Stuart, 66, was diagnosed with MND in August of 2016 after noticing pain and mobility issues in his hands.

“I had a bit of trouble with my hands and we thought it might have been carpal tunnel,” Mr Pitson said.

“We went to the neurologist and they did an EEG to see how my muscles were going and the doctor said he had some bad news.

“He said I had 18 months to live and that was nearly six years ago.”

Mr Pitson wants people to contribute to the FightMND campaign by purchasing a Big Freeze beanie at Coles.

It’s a campaign led by AFL great Neale Daniher, who recently lost his voice to the disease.

Stuart and Julie Pitson with their granddaughter Hallie, who at one point they thought Stuart would never get to meet. Photo: Supplied

Mr Pitson’s wife Julie, 57, said the work of Mr Daniher was integral in putting MND in the minds of Australians.

“Neale Daniher and FightMND have put MND on the map and they have given us hope that one day, we will find a cure,” Mrs Pitson said.

“The Big Freeze campaign means so much to us and when we see someone wearing a beanie it provides us, people living with MND and their families, with hope.

“To have hope changes everything.”

While he once worked on a farm, Mr Pitson has now lost the use of his hands and feet.

“It’s hard because I can't give my wife a hand, but I’m lucky,” he said.

“I have a mate up here and he can’t use his legs, but his hands and lungs are alright.

“Everyone is affected in different ways.

“When I first got diagnosed, I thought maybe in four or five years they’d find something, but it’s such a complex disease.

“Hopefully in the next few years they’ll find something.”

Stuart and Julie Pitson with Coles Albury workers dressed up for Blue Day, where workers wear blue to spark conversations about MND with customers. Photo: Supplied

Coles Albury and Coles Lavington are currently among the top stores fundraising for Fight MND in NSW, with over $25,000 raised collectively.

Coles Albury store manager Catherine Clarke said her team donned blue every Thursday to raise more awareness in the store and spark conversation about the disease with customers.

“It’s a cause that’s close to many people in Albury and we hope that shoppers can help find a cure and give people like Julie and Stuart hope by buying a beanie or making a donation at the checkout,” she said.

You can purchase a Big Freeze beanie from Coles supermarkets and Coles Express stores with all proceeds going toward research focused on fast-tracking new MND treatments and a cure.