Anna's Sharebook 

Have you ever wanted to make a difference, but weren’t quite sure how to go about it? It can be quite simply really – sometimes as simple as the click of a mouse button.

Viola Swierczek has dedicated her life to guiding others by being a teacher. But she’d never stop at her job, helping others learn in all areas of life – how to start a career, how to love, how to be a better person.

Now she needs the help of others. At only 31 years of age, while pregnant with her daughter, Viola was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS ), also known as Motor Neurone Disease. It is a neurological disorder characterised by progressive degeneration of motor neuron cells in the spine and brain, which ultimately results in paralysis and death.

For the last 7 years Viola has been bed ridden, unable do anything without assistance. At the moment Viola is not able to move at all and she cannot speak. She can only communicate using a special sensor attached to her glasses which enables her to write on the computer screen. She still spends her days helping others by lending a friendly ear and advice on communicators and social websites.

Her dream is to live longer so she can see her daughter growing up. She dreams of being able to hug her daughter, to talk to her and take her for a walk. Can her dream come true?

There is no cure for ALS as yet but there are studies being undertaken on a treatment which can slow down the progression of the disease. Viola has decided to give it a try. She has been accepted for the treatment, but it is very expensive and she would have to travel abroad.

Her family, friends and students are helping to raise the money anyway they can. They are organising concerts, auctions and donation collections. Her cousin, Anna Nowicki, has entered an online competition at Sunsuper Dreams. The winning dream will receive a grant of $5000. If Anna’s dream wins, Viola will receive a $5000 grant to contribute to her treatment. All that is needed to win is the highest number of votes in the month of February.

Anna is hopeful, “We started strong and in first place for the first couple of weeks. I believe Viola has a real chance of reaching her dream. In any case, it is my hope that this campaign will help raise awareness of ALS and the devastating effects it has on its sufferers and their families”.

You can help make a difference to Viola’s life simply by voting for Anna Nowicki’s dream on http://sunsuperdreams.com.au/dream/view/save-my-cousin-and-fight-als-1. Everyone can vote, but only once and only until the end of February, so the race is on.