Alison has a long association with CMRI, as a donor, a volunteer Committee member, and one of our very special donors who has chosen to leave a gift in her Will to support the work of the Institute well into the future.

Alison also has strong personal motivations for supporting research into childhood genetic diseases as her first-born child – a son they named Benjamin - was born when she and her husband were living in a small town in Central West Victoria.

While initially there was no formal diagnosis, Alison’s instincts led her to believe that something was wrong with her baby. Their local GP referred Benjamin to a hospital where he stayed for two weeks.

Sadly, when Benjamin was 8 weeks old, they were given the prognosis that he would not live beyond 6 months.

As a nurse, Alison has a great belief in the value of science, and its significant contribution to increasing our quality and longevity of life. She says most of her family are scientists or engineers, and contribute to improving the community’s quality of life at many different levels.

Alison also understands the role philanthropy plays in ensuring the future of CMRI’s research.

“I understand that without donor support – researchers might progress only halfway through their research and be unable to complete their critical work.”

She says, “Now at age 66, and still working as a nurse, my values are to help people in the community.”

Supporting people in the community is also a family tradition – Alison’s Aunt, Jenny Bolden, was one of the founding members of CMRI’s Gerringong Committee.

When Alison moved to Gosford (NSW), her aunt introduced her to the local Committee, and invited her to meet the members. “The rest is history,” says Alison. She became president of the local Committee, and now her daughter Johanna is a member of the Wagga Committee.

“It’s more than fundraising,” says Alison, “It’s a community of committed individuals who like to FUN-raise for the betterment of others.”

Alison chose to leave a gift in her Will to CMRI because: “My belief is to do no harm, and, that what you leave behind is not what is engraved in monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Alison also feels it’s reassuring to know that CMRI is an independent organisation, that the donations go directly to support the work of our talented scientists, and that her gift will impact positively on the wider community, for generations to come.