30-year MS patient advocate nets John Studdy Award
Bunbury native Lynda Whitton called recognition a 'huge honor'
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patient Lynda Whitton has been granted MS Australia’s 2024 John Studdy Award in recognition of her advocacy, leadership, and fundraising efforts for MS and other neurological diseases in her hometown of Bunbury and across Australia.
The nonprofit’s top award is given each year to people who’ve contributed at least a decade of service to those living with MS. Whitton has gone above and beyond, according to MS Australia, dedicating three decades to the cause and leaving a lasting footprint on the MS community.
“For decades, Lynda Whitton has been a powerful advocate, leader, and fundraiser for the MS and the broader neurological community, and this recognition is thoroughly deserved,” Rohan Greenland, MS Australia’s CEO, said in a press release from the nonprofit.
The award, first given in 1999, is named for the late John Studdy, the former chairman of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia, which later became MS Australia.
Diagnosed with MS in 1996, Whitton said winning the award was a “huge honor.”
“It’s also one I don’t feel I deserve — this could be shared with so many wonderful people who are also doing amazing things for people with MS,” Whitton said.
In MS, damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord causes a range of symptoms that can vary widely from one patient to the next. Over time, accumulating damage can lead to disability, limiting day-to-day life and increasing the need for constant support.
After her MS diagnosis, Whitton started driving a car with an automatic transmission, which required less effort, and using sturdier dishes for meals.
“I’m not one to sit and expect others to do things for me, so I set about making life changes to help me down this new path,” she said.
‘If someone needs help…’
Whitton also joined MSWA, a nonprofit based in Western Australia, and became an important part of the community. As president of the Bunbury Outreach Group, founder of the Bunbury Swim fundraiser, and advocate with MS Australia, she built a network of support in Western Australia and beyond.
“My passion for helping anyone comes from life ethics taught by my parents,” Whitton said. “If a job needs doing, do it. If someone needs help, help them. And always look for the positives. I know the difficulties and uncertainty anyone with MS is going through, so if I’m in a position to help them, I do it willingly.”
The Bunbury Swim fundraiser, which Whitton kickstarted in 2014, raised more than $55,000 in its first year. The funds went toward building the Bunbury Services Centre in 2016, a fully accessible community hub that supports up to 100 people with MS and other neurological diseases each year.
Whitton thanked her family for their support.
“We even did a family team for the swim and raised $21,000 of the $28,000 total,” she said. “Their help has been amazing. Anything I have done for MS could not have been achieved without the support of my family.”
Last year, MS Australia added two new awards to its awards program to allow the public to submit nominations: the MS Research Award and the MS Advocacy Award.
“The expansion of MS Australia’s awards program reflects our commitment to celebrating incredible people who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of people living with MS,” Greenland said.
The MS Research Award, given to researchers who’ve made strides in understanding and treating MS, went to Jeannette Lechner-Scott, PhD, a professor at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales who’s been studying MS in pregnancy and how genetic and environmental factors interact with the disease.
Marianne Gaul, a retired nurse diagnosed with MS in 2007, won the MS Advocacy Award thanks for her efforts at building support networks and raising funds for people with MS in Tamworth and Southeast Australia.
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