Since 2006, Zakhia Aoun has been volunteering for MND NSW in many different ways.
A familiar face at our Walk to d’Feet MND events, she has assisted with our Penrith, Sydney, Illawarra, Hunter and even Port Macquarie and Canberra Walks over the years.
Zakhia has also taken the time to collect donations at a variety of events, including at train stations during MND Week. She has also volunteered at our Day of Hope and Remembrance events, and has been an advocate for MND NSW, sharing her and her sister’s MND journey.
For Zakhia, volunteering is important for so many reasons.
“Volunteering is important because you are helping others in your community, and you may make a difference or positively impact the life of a person in need. Plus, it feels good to do good and give to others,” she said.
The decision to begin volunteering came after her sister Therese was sadly diagnosed with MND. Zakhia said ‘it not only changed my sister’s life, it changed my life and my family’s life forever’.
I want to continue to do what I can in memory of her, in support of those facing MND, and in the hope that my contribution to raising awareness or funds will lead to better resources and support and services for those with MND, and ultimately, the greatest hope of a cure for MND,” she said.
“It provides great meaning and value to my life, and hopefully offers a positive impact to MND NSW and those who I meet as a result of volunteering for MND NSW.”
For Zakhia, volunteering with MND NSW goes beyond assisting us in any way she can, and she said the best part is that she gets to ‘connect with others who have gone through, or are going through what we went through’.
“Those who volunteer for MND are usually people who have lost a loved one to MND. Their generosity and support having faced such heartache is admirable,” she said.
If you would like to volunteer like Zakhia, contact Marcia Lazo at