A charity at the forefront of international research into one of the world’s most debilitating illnesses has been named the 2017 Telstra New South Wales Business of the Year.
Announced at the 25th annual Telstra New South Wales Business Awards, which were held in Sydney last night, the winner, MS Research Australia, is a globally recognised leader in the internationally coordinated effort to find a cure for progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
As the country’s largest not-for-profit organisation dedicated to funding and fostering collaboration in MS research, the charity’s work has transformed the entire MS landscape, contributing to a 80 per cent decrease in related hospitalisations in the last 20 years.
MS Research Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Matthew Miles, says its efforts will only intensify as they edge ever closer to eradicating the disease altogether.
“Until we find a cure – and we’ve made incredible progress towards that – we will devote our attention to ensuring we are completely and utterly aligned with the needs of people with MS. We are at a tipping point and the finish line could potentially be in sight,” he said.
The business also took home the 2017 Telstra New South Wales Charity Award. Celebrating their 25th year, the Telstra Business Awards showcase the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of Australia’s best small and medium businesses (SMBs) and more recently, charities as well.
Telstra Group Executive, Consumer and Small Business, and Awards Ambassador, Kevin Russell, said the winners of the 2017 Telstra New South Wales Business Awards demonstrate what it takes to become ‘that’ business – a leader in their field, a name that is trusted and admired and an organisation that inspires others.
“The New South Wales winners are all driven by a desire to address problems affecting everyday Australians – from new parents to new business owners – and are successfully using technology as the platform for making those ambitions a reality,” he said.
“MS Research Australia is the definition of innovation, leading the global charge against MS with its pioneering research methods. They’re a great example of an organisation using digital technology to remain at the forefront of the MS conversation and associated medical developments.”