I couldn’t believe it. As a young adult, I’d had nothing to do with illness until now and I took my own good health for granted. I was shocked. Devastated.

I guess I had been quite sheltered and was even pretty selfish. This day changed my life. And it changed me.

It was July, and we were told Mum only had until Christmas to live. We were told she had no chance. There was no treatment. No cure.

So I went into survival mode. There was nothing else to do. I felt frustrated, helpless. I was an educated woman and yet I had never heard of MND.

I couldn’t do anything to help Mum. I couldn’t save her. But I could immerse myself in something that would mean no-one else needed to experience this awful disease.

It was time to give back. Until now I hadn’t done anything significant with my life. I was a normal young woman who had a good time. My family doubted I could do something to make a difference. But I was determined, even though I was totally unnerved by what I had in mind.

I decided that my friends all had money, and that money could do something really worthwhile if they decided to put it to use. And I had the way to do it.

I took myself off to lunch with a group of close friends and announced my plan to raise money for MND Victoria, and for research. And I told them I needed their help. To my amazement they all said ‘Yes!’ We formed our group there and then. And named it zo-ee – a Greek word for ‘life’. It symbolised our desire to value life, be light and help others do the same.

Our first cocktail event was a huge success. And we have gone on to do many more, including trivia nights and tin shakes. We make it affordable and fun. Even those reluctant to come along always leave saying, ‘That was a great night!’ To date we have raised $300,000.

Losing my mother was life-changing for me and my family. She died just one month after our first zo-ee event. But she lived to see me achieve something no-one else thought I was capable of. I learned about my inner strength and what I could do when I put my mind and will into it.

Others on the zo-ee team have been touched by MND too. And we continue to draw in new members who make a difference. For six years we have volunteered our passion and skills. Over that time the team has grown and changed; our cause is the same.

We want to make MND as well-known as other major diseases are in our community. We want people to care about finding a cause, treatment and cure.

When we were caring for Mum, every day I had the feeling of ‘I’m the only one I know who is living with MND.’ But raising funds showed me we were not alone. And we had MND Victoria to help us organise equipment, guide us with her care and be there when she passed on.

I took mum for a walk one Saturday morning. That afternoon I was with her as she left us.

I want zo-ee to have its own life – for as long as we need to raise money to help those living with MND.

Gina Gonis – President

I am the President and Co Founder of zo-ee, a charity which raises funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  I had never heard of MND prior to when my friend Karen told me her mother was dying from the disease in 2005.

Voluntary work and helping those less fortunate than myself had always been my personal goal in life, therefore, helping start zo-ee together with Karen and a number of our close friends was something I found and still find very rewarding and proud of.

Apart from my voluntary work raising funds for MND research, I work full time as a Law Clerk in litigation dealing with debt recovery.  I had a giggle one day when a person once pointed out to me that between what I do for a living and my voluntary work, I have a slight resemblance to the life of Robin Hood.

I am a firm believer of team work and I am very accepting of other people.  I especially enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life and find peoples life experiences fascinating.

Finally, I am a beach lover.. no snow for this young lady thank you.  J

Marcus King – Vice President

I was invited to join zo-ee a few years back by a very enthusiastic Gina, and haven’t regretted a minute of the truly inspiring team work from all the committee members since that first meeting in the casual surrounds of our boardroom (usually a pub!)  I’m coming up to my third MotorOn event and I can say that I’ve never experienced nerves, excitement and then pure relief (with a dash of satisfaction) once the event has come to a close, out our attendees have left after enjoying one of the top nights in their entertainment calendar.  I’m proud of the team and I’m proud of the money we’ve raised for research into this hideous disease.

Karen Mustica – Founder of zo-ee

zo-ee was established in 2005 by Karen Mustica following her mother’s diagnosis of MND. After months of countless doctors and specialist appointments Karen’s mother, Olga aged 62, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease and given 6 months to live. Shocked and confused by the diagnosis Karen set off to find some more information on MND in the hope to get her mother some treatment.

There was nothing. No cure, no treatment, no hope.

The only thing she did uncover was that there was very little awareness of MND. 90% of the people she spoke with had never heard of the disease.  Her mission then became to change this, to raise money for research and create awareness in her community.

The inaugural Motor On Cocktail event was held on February 25^th 2006. With support of friends and family the event was a huge success raising $25,000.

One month later Karen’s mother passed away. Devastated by her loss she realised that even though her efforts couldn’t save her mother’s life she wanted to make a difference to other families that have been affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

The MND catch phrase is “Never Give Up”, which sums up Karen’s passion to find a cure for MND.

Five years after her mother’s death, Karen still works with the zo-ee team to put on various fundraising events. As a stay home mother of two young boys, Karen finds it hard to get to all the zo-ee meetings, but does what she can. “When I’m not at the park or building fortresses out of lego, I work on bringing in sponsored items and most importantly invite people to our events”.

“zo-ee has grown and matured over these past six years. With only three original committee members, zo-ee has seen many changes. It’s been great to welcome new members and sad to see people go, but as volunteers we can only help where we can to rid this world of MND”.