Local builders help put vital medical research on solid foundations

Discovering the link between dietary fibre and asthma and other vital medical research are more likely to occur in the Hunter thanks to strong ongoing support for the Hunter Medical Research Institute from local businesses like McDonald Jones Homes, according to HMRI.

“McDonald Jones have donated more than $20,000 to research at HMRI over the last 6 years,” said HMRI’s Associate Director Development, Marketing and Communications Mrs Maureen Jack.

“The ongoing support of community-focused organisations like McDonald Jones allows HMRI to deliver vital funding to Hunter medical researchers.”

McDonald Jones recently gave HMRI $10,000, which together with other donations, will go towards funding HMRI researchers to develop important research findings. Recent HMRI research discovered a link between the dietary fibre intake of asthmatics and their lung function and airway inflammation. The study points to a new role for fibre, and has shown that eating a higher fibre diet may be more important for people with asthma.

Other important insights made by HMRI researchers include the finding that women who have suffered previous bouts of depression and anxiety are at significantly higher risk of developing postnatal depression. This could allow clinicians to identify those most at risk and intervene earlier, even before pregnancy in their teenage years and early adulthood.

HMRI researchers also trialled a new-clot busting drug therapy and achieved significant benefits for acute stroke victims. Treatment with the new drug Tenecteplase resulted in impressive benefits over the standard treatment, where some patients severely affected by stroke returned to normal function within just two or three days.

“When people invest in HMRI they get a payback in the form of better treatment,” said Mrs Jack.

McDonald Jones founder Bill McDonald presented HMRI staff with a $10,000 cheque this week before enjoying a tour of the HMRI building at John Hunter Hospital.

“The Hunter has developed a reputation for ground-breaking medical research that benefits people the world over, thanks largely to the innovative efforts of HMRI researchers. And on behalf of the whole McDonald Jones team I am proud as punch to get right behind them and support the research vital to the health and well-being of our community,” said Mr McDonald.