Run for CJD passes through Rochester

By Georgia Tacey

Oct 13, 2023

Run for CJD: Sam Birrell and Dan Tehan hit the road. Photo by Contributed

A fundraising run to fight Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has recently passed through Rochester as part of a 1000km journey.

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The runners are travelling from Canberra to Warrnambool to raise money for CJD, a rare and severe disease that causes the brain to degenerate, leading to dementia and death.

Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell met up with the group as it passed through the electorate, joining Federal Member for Wannon Dan Tehan, who is taking part in the run to honour his late mother, former Victorian Health Minister Marie Tehan, who passed away from the disease.

“My mother remains a great inspiration to me and I miss her every day,” Mr Tehan said.

“All of us taking part in this run have lost family members or friends to this cruel disease and that’s why we are helping to raise money and awareness to break down the stigma.”

Donate now: The group is running from Canberra to Warrnambool. Photo by Contributed

Mr Birrell joined the group in a 10km leg of the journey through Rochester, which allowed Mr Tehan to meet locals and hear how the recovery efforts from the floods are going one year on.

“It was a great honour to join my good friend and parliamentary colleague Dan Tehan in an endeavour that is close to his heart,” Mr Birrell said.

“As a former minister and regional member of parliament, Mr Tehan was very interested to hear from locals as to the extent of the flood event one year on, how the recovery is going and what further support may be needed from the Federal Government.”

To donate to the Run for CJD, go to gofund.me/2816050a