Day of Hope and Remembrance: Global MND Day

Join us on Global MND Day for our annual Day of Hope and Remembrance. Help us raise awareness of MND and its impact on people and families worldwide. 

We invite all members of the MND community to gather with us in hope for a future without MND, in solidarity of those currently battling the disease and to remember and celebrate those who have died.

We will light a series of candles during a brief ceremony and hear from a guest speaker followed by light refreshments and an opportunity to connect with other members of the MND community. This is a free event, registration is essential.

Candle Lighting Ceremony

Together we will light a series of candles to acknowledge different groups of the MND community, including:

• As a symbol of strength and solidarity for people living with MND and their carers
• In remembrance of those who have died from the disease
• As a gesture of appreciation for the MND workforce and volunteers
• And as a mark of encouragement to all scientists and researchers across the globe in the search for better care and their quest for a cure.

Guest Speaker

Professor Matthew C Kiernan AM MBBS PhD DSc FRACP FAHMS FAA

Professor Matthew Kiernan is the Chief Executive Officer and Institute Director, Neuroscience Research Australia. He holds appointments as the Scientia Professor of Neuroscience at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia and Senior Staff Specialist in Neurology at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. Professor Kiernan is past President of the Australian & New Zealand Association of Neurologists, having helped shape neuroscientific research and the training of neurologists across Australia and New Zealand. Professor Kiernan is Chair of the World Federation of Neurology Specialty Group in Motor Neurone Disease, Chair of the World Congress of Neurology and President of the Brain Foundation.

Professor Kiernan previously served as Chair of MND Research Australia (2015-2019) and was appointed Editor Emeritus of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry (BMJ Publishers, United Kingdom), having served as Editor-in-Chief from 2010-2022. In 2019 he was appointed as Member, General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine, and to medical education, in the field of neurology. In 2024 He was elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Recent awards include the Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research (Perpetual Trustees); the Research Australia GSK Award for Research Excellence; and the American Academy of Neurology Sheila Essey Award “to acknowledge and honor an individual who is making significant contributions in research. The award recognizes seminal research breakthroughs in the search for the cause, prevention of and cure for ALS”.

Place a Blue Cornflower

The blue cornflower was adopted as the national symbol of hope for MND because of its fragile appearance but hardy nature. We invite you to place a blue cornflower in the cornflower field in support for a person who is living with MND or in remembrance of a person who has died from the disease.

March of MND Faces: Submit a photo for display

An important part of this event is a photographic display of people with MND. The display includes people living with MND and people who have died from the disease.

Photos become part of the MND NSW collection of Australia’s March of Faces. Photos submitted for this event will form a digital display. If you have submitted a photo in the past, it will also be displayed at the event.

Find out more about Australia’s March of Faces and complete the consent form to participate. Photo submissions close 15 June 2025

Who should attend?

This special event is open to all members of the MND community. Whether you are a person living with MND, a current or past carer, family member or friend, a volunteer or a member of the MND workforce - this event is for you.

Parking and other details

Parking is available onsite, there is no charge to attend and refreshments will be available after the event.