Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS
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TASMANIA Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS Help beat MS one step at a time as you trek the spectacular surrounds of Cradle Mountain The trip at a glance Join MS in Tasmania for the journey Not only will you experience the pristine beauty of of a lifetime as you Conquer Cradle the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on this Mountain to Beat MS! exciting challenge, but this is also your chance to travel with purpose and create real change in people’s Trek the spectacular surrounds of Cradle Mountain lives — and in yourself. as we traverse sections of the iconic Overland Trail. Travelling with MS & Soulful Concepts inspires a Over four days, experience the rare beauty and sense of motivation and encouragement because this diversity of Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage trip is contributing to a wonderful cause; supporting Area. This stunning wilderness region features a huge Australians living with multiple sclerosis. Share once- diversity of flora and fauna; visit glacially carved lakes, in-a-lifetime memories with like-minded travellers while ancient rainforests, fragrant eucalypt forests, golden experiencing Tasmania’s breathtaking landscape. buttongrass moorlands and beautiful alpine meadows. You’ll walk away with treasured moments and the This is your chance to leave everything behind and knowledge that you have been a part of something life- immerse yourself in one of Australia’s premier trekking changing! destinations. Expert guides will lead you across this ancient landscape, seeking out some of the park’s hidden highlights. With an abundance of wildlife you are likely to encounter Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus, echidna, wombats and the highly inquisitive black currawong set amongst mountainous terrain and magnificent views. soulfulconcepts.com [email protected] 1300 059 686 2 © Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved You will experience Need to know Day 1: Arrive Launceston Dates: 2–6 October 2021 Day 2: Cradle Valley Boardwalk – Tour duration: 5 days (including travel time) Weindorfers Forest – Waldheim Group size: 10–20 travellers Day 3: Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut via the Overland Track Challenge grade: 3/5 Day 4: Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes Registration fee: $495 (non-refundable) Day 5: Dove Lake Circuit - Return to Fundraising target: $3,000 (excludes travel) Launceston Travel quote: $2,345* excluding return flights Flights: At own expense – from $400–$800 return Unique experiences include Accommodation: Twin share rooms in cabins and 4-star hotels • Soak in the extraordinary views of Cradle Minimum age: 18 (younger ages Mountain’s World Heritage National Park considered on application) • Trek for four days through ancient *Subject to change. Refer to Soulful Concepts terms rainforest, spectacular glacial cirques and and conditions pristine valleys • Connect to nature as you traverse through parts of the iconic Overland Trail • Enjoy spotting the native wildlife including wombats, echidnas, wallabies and Tasmanian devils • Forge friendships that will last a lifetime, while raising vital funds and awareness to support Australians living with multiple sclerosis soulfulconcepts.com [email protected] 1300 059 686 3 © Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved About MS Your impact Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable $15 can provide an information pack to someone and debilitating central nervous newly diagnosed with MS to help them feel supported and informed. system disease that affects over 25,600 Australians and over two $40 can connect people living with MS in rural and remote Australia via telelink, so they don’t have to face million people worldwide. the disease alone. A multiple sclerosis diagnosis can be extremely difficult $75 can help educate a health professional about to come to grips with. All of a sudden there is a lot of multiple sclerosis to enhance the quality of care and new information to absorb, questions to ask and key outcomes for people living with MS. decisions to make. MS is here to support people living with multiple sclerosis and their loved ones at every $150 can support the training of an MS Peer Support stage through their journey. volunteer to provide countless hours of support to many people living with MS. Right now, 1 in 3 Australians are directly impacted by a diagnosed family member, friend or colleague. MS are *services may vary per state a trusted organisation that people living with MS and their families can turn to for specialised information and support from knowledgeable and caring professionals. Every week more than 10 Australians are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the Fundraisers and donors make essential MS support average age of diagnosis is just 30 years old. services possible for people living with multiple sclerosis. Your support will ensure no one faces MS alone. By taking on this wonderful trek, you are making sure people living with MS continue Funds raised helps MS to ensure that when more to access vital support and services that help than 20,000 Australians reach out each year, they find them live well at home, at the workplace and a caring voice on the end of the line thanks to MS in the community. Connect, who provide support, care and advice when it is needed most. John Blewonski, Your support ensures over 7,300 people have access MS CEO to MS Wellbeing programs each year, giving them an opportunity to share strategies on managing symptoms and a chance to connect with the MS community. Your fundraising enables over 2,700 people each year to participate in an MS Education Webinar, giving them an opportunity to share strategies on managing symptoms and a chance to connect with the MS community. Your donations provide more than 1,500 people living with multiple sclerosis access to free, specialised advice and guidance from a health professional, through the MS Advisor programs without having to travel or join a waiting list. All funds raised from the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat MS Challenge will be used to fund vital support services to help make the everyday possible for people living with multiple sclerosis. soulfulconcepts.com [email protected] 1300 059 686 4 © Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved Meet Melantha: Determined to embrace every chance and connection she can By 2012, things started to go wrong again and Melantha was back in hospital for the next seven months. During this time, she received the devastating news she was the fourth person in Australia to be diagnosed with PML caused by Tysabri. Melantha was finally discharged but is now pretty much bed ridden. She has lost the use of her left arm and has extreme difficulty communicating verbally. She needs a carer every weekday to shower & dress her, do her house chores, make her coffee, and take her to medical appointments. Despite her diagnosis, she got her L plates on an electric wheelchair and in 2016 registered in the MS As a young woman, Melantha had Walk Run + Roll with her team Carpe Diem - Latin for everything to look forward to. She lived “seize the day”. life to the fullest, got married, travelled to In the five years since, Melantha has raised an incredible $40,000 to help other people living with MS and South Africa, fell pregnant and gave birth raise awareness of MS. She is grateful for her friends to a healthy daughter. who bring her comfort and joy by simply being there, Sadly, a few months later Melantha had a seizure, checking in or dropping by and for her local community waking up in the hospital where she stayed for six days. who rally around her when she is trying to raise money It was confirmed Melantha had the “best” type of the for MS. four MS types, Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis And, you too can help people like Melantha. (RRMS), and she started treatment straight away. When you join the Conquer Cradle Mountain to Beat A treatment called Tysabri (Natalizumab) had become MS expedition, we can continue to provide vital services available through medical trials and Melantha was and support for people like Melantha and her family. selected to be one of the first in Australia to try the once a month treatment. “Embrace every chance and connection It worked. She was attack free, enjoying walking and you possibly can. driving a very cool Mini Cooper! Especially the chance for another chance. Melantha and her family were told there was a Life is a lottery, people.” chance she could contract Pulmonary Multifocal - Melantha Leukoencephalopathy (PML) caused by Tysabri but it was very slim and as treatment was working so well, they decided to roll the dice and take the risk... During her second pregnancy she suffered terrible morning sickness and by the fourth month she relapsed, unable to walk. She was readmitted to the Royal Hospital for Women, this time for the duration of her pregnancy – five whole months! In this time, she became a guinea pig for curious medical students and doctors who were all fascinated by her kind of MS. She was more than happy to oblige; it gave her comfort and a nice feeling to give the opportunity for anyone to learn from her case and hopefully help others with MS. She gave birth to another healthy girl and re-learnt to walk before finally going home, only to experience her worst relapse a few months later, losing all feeling below the hip. She was readmitted to hospital away from her husband, toddler and newborn for another two months of drips, needles and drugs and finally she learnt to walk again for the second time in 2009. soulfulconcepts.com [email protected] 1300 059 686 5 © Soulful Concepts Group 2020. All rights reserved Itinerary Day 1: Saturday, 2 October 2021 – Welcome to Launceston Welcome to Launceston, Tasmania! After landing make your way to the hotel and check in.