Rob Burrows

I lost my poor old Dad to this terrible illness. He was 54.
The first thing to go was his throat, so he lost the ability to swallow and, worse still, talk.
Imagine the frustration of being of sound mind but unable to communicate.

Cruel, cruel disease and I am fully behind any charity that raises awareness and aims to take steps towards finding a cure.

 

i've just donated 50 quid to the MND disease charity, shocking condition to have to endure , best wishes to rob burrows

 

Beyond dreadful news for Rob and the sport in general. To see such a great lad and player like this affected by such a terrible disease is devastating. I'll be making a donation this weekend.

 

https://www.mndassociation.org/?utm...utm_content=Home&dm_i=40VP,6JAX,5YOU2B,MQHF,1

i dont know if Rob Burrows has any charity in mind but the above link is the one i used to make my donation

I know not everyone can afford to give money away, especially this time of year but i was so touched when i listenened to rob on the radio i just had to make a donation, I was also thinking you never know if its your turn,i had the same with cancer and spent time in and out of western park , which itself relies heavily on donations and fundraising.

 

How many years is it since the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral? That was fundraising for Motor Neurone Disease and a global phenomenon, very successful.

I see cases of MND all too often through my work. What triggered my "interest" in it was my interest in gold, and my golfing hero Tom Watson. His long time caddy, Bruce Edwards, developed MND (Or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Lou Gehrig's Disease as it's often referred to), Watson first noticed a cleft develop on Edwards Thumb/Finger. Once diagnosed, he kept caddying for Watson, carrying a tour pro's bag (no carts allowed), culminating in a magical afternoon at the 2003 US Open, when Watson shot a leading score of 65. Edwards was dead the following year. I donated my sponsorship at the time to the Bruce Edwards Foundation.

There's a lovely book by the US journalist, John Feinstein, called "Caddy for Life" that chronicles their time working together and a significant number of pages is given to the battle with MND.

I think MND may become high profile again very quickly because there is a definite correlation between sports competitors and degenerative neurological disease. Dr Willie Stewart, a Neuropathologist at Glasgow University (someone I was lucky to work alongside at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he has been instrumental in developing head injury protocols and concussion assessment) published a study that has shown a clear statistical evidence of a hugely elevated risk of developing Neuro Degenerative Disease in footballers compared to the matched population, with much research now needed to identify why and how. Much of this was driven by Jeff Astle's family. The footballing authorities to date have been very quiet on the issue.

It'd be a magnanimous gesture for football to divert some of its income to studies like this, if only because they have a duty of care to players which has often been neglected. The era of players continuing to play through seemingly "minor" injuries, I think, is long gone because of the likelihood of long term consequences to their physical and mental health. But football, and professional sport generally, can and should do more to help it's ailing former competitors.

 

It's bloody heart breaking especially as it seems to hit the young and healthy.

 

Interesting, and as you say, it's the lack of scientific evidence at present that hinders much of this. Willie Stewart's study showed that footballers were 3.5 times more likely to die of Neurodegenerative disease than the general population. I'm sure heading the ball, particularly those from years ago that got heavier and held water, is a factor but as yet the research evidence isn't available to support - i.e.: Correlation not necessarily causation.

The mountain biking is an interesting one. Put the accident to one side, I'd think the brain would be subject to a lot of shaking from roughy terrain riding etc, changes of direction at speed etc. All potential contributory factors. I know it's sombre thinking, but a real push now to find a trigger/cause and possible cure may be a fine legacy for your friend and the likes of Rob Burrow.

 

He is definitely one of the very best RL players of all time - always great to watch him dodging under the armpits of some huge guys. I wish him the very best.

 

I've just donated and the latest total was a staggering £100,000, say what you want about this country but the people know how to rally round.

 

dont know if any of you are bothered but cas play bradford bulls at 11am on boxing day and theres uite a bit of fundraising going on.. game is a cas wheldon road