Help us raise money for much needed research into dementia in elderly Greek migrants

Dear Friends,

Approximately 250,000 Greeks arrived in Australia between the 1940s and 1980s. Sixty years later, they are at high risk of developing cognitive illnesses, such as dementia. The problem is that none of the tests relating to diagnosing dementia are made with this population in mind, which often results in misdiagnosis.

Monash University researcher Mathew Staios is undertaking a PhD on this under-resourced and important subject and he needs our help.

Mathew is a clinical neuropsychologist and a psychology-teaching associate at Monash University. He is completing his PhD at Monash University, in conjunction with their academic partner, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Mathew is fundraising to support his PhD research, which will result in the development of new tests to accurately detect dementia and provide culturally appropriate treatment options for the ageing Greek Australian community. The goal is to raise $75,000 to sustain this project for a period of three years.

Mathew is cycling from Melbourne to Canberra this week to raise money for his research. He left Melbourne last Sunday and is due to arrive at the Greek Embassy in Canberra on the 5th of December, where he will be welcomed at a reception organised by Federal MP, Ms Maria Vamvakinou.

While in Canberra, Mathew will act as an advocate on behalf of the ageing Greek Australian community and increase awareness in the area of multicultural healthcare issues.

The Greek Community of Melbourne fully supports such valuable projects and urges all its members to contribute towards this worthwhile cause. Donations for this project will be managed by Monash University, School of Psychological Sciences finance department.

For those wishing to donate to this cause or find out more about Mathew’s PhD research, please visit www.i-remember.com.au.

Your donation will not only raise awareness of cognitive illnesses such as dementia, but will also result in the development of accurate detecting tests that will assist many of the Greek community’s elderly citizens at high risk of developing dementia.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Papastergiadis
President

Costas Markos
Hon General Secretary