Welcome To
Defeat MSA New Zealand Trust
HELP US DEFEAT MSA NOW!
Defeat MSA New Zealand Trust is a registered charity serving the needs of those affected by Multiple System Atrophy in New Zealand. It aspires to balance patient support, medical education, public awareness, promising research and community advocacy.
MSA Research
Patient Programs
MSA Education
Public Awareness
Giving Programs
LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
MSA Expert
Spotlight

Patrik Brundin, M.D., Ph.D.
Therapeutic Area Leader for Movement Disorders, Roche Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Patrik Brundin is one of the top cited researchers in the field of neuroscience with more than 350 publications on Parkinson’s and related diseases. He has 35 years of experience studying neurodegenerative diseases, disease pathogenesis and therapeutic neural transplantation into people. His current research focuses on pathogenic mechanisms of Parkinson’s as well as the development of new therapies that slow or stop disease progression or that repair damaged brain circuits. He was among the first to articulate the “prion-like” hypothesis, which describes how abnormal proteins related to the disease spread from cell to cell in the brain, causing the cellular damage that perpetuates Parkinson’s disease and related diseases such as Multiple System Atrophy.
List of Publications
Spotlight Links
- “Life on the river” – Reflection by Dr. Patrik Brundin in The Lanclet (neurology journal)
- The Patrik Brundin Lab (VAI)
about the
Defeat MSA Awareness Shoe – #KickMSA
The Defeat MSA Awareness Shoe ™ has traveled to dozens of countries, rubbed shoulders with some notable people and visited many famous landmarks. The Shoe is a tool for spreading MSA awareness, increasing support for MSA patients and their caregivers and fighting MSA by raising vital research dollars. It’s journey is undertaken in memory of all those that have died due to MSA and in support of all those presently fighting Multiple System Atrophy!
To date, the Shoe has “Kicked MSA” in a dozen countries across the world.
As of 2023, our beloved Shoe is kicking MSA in New Zealand. If you are in New Zealand and you interested in having the Shoe stop by, send us an email: info@defeatmsa.org.nz
We will do our best to include you in the schedule!
#DefeatMSA #KickMSA #DefeetMSA #MSANewZealand


about the
Defeat MSA Awareness Shoe – #KickMSA
The Defeat MSA Awareness Shoe ™ has traveled to dozens of countries, rubbed shoulders with some notable people and visited many famous landmarks. The Shoe is a tool for spreading MSA awareness, increasing support for MSA patients and their caregivers and fighting MSA by raising vital research dollars. It’s journey is undertaken in memory of all those that have died due to MSA and in support of all those presently fighting Multiple System Atrophy!
To date, the Shoe has “Kicked MSA” in a dozen countries across the world. Learn more about the story and the globetrotting journey of the MSA Awareness Shoe. #DefeatMSA #KickMSA


Join the world-wide MSA Awareness initiative
Join the world-wide MSA Awareness initiative
Patients Need Our Help
Defeat MSA New Zealand invites all our friends and allies, around the world, to join us in this noble fight, to speak for those who cannot, with one mind, one heart and one voice: to Defeat MSA forever!
Join the world-wide MSA Awareness initiative
Our Legacy Grants
Our Legacy Grants
The Defeat MSA New Zealand Trust special Individual Named Legacy Grants program enables donors to fund a scientific research, medical education, patient support or public awareness grant and name it in their own name, in tribute to someone or in memory of a loved one. The Legacy Grants program designates four levels of grants: $30,000 (Platinum), $20,000 (Gold), $10,000 (Silver) and $5,000 (Bronze). MSA research grants begin at the $10,000 level. Please email us: director@defeatmsa.org.nz
MSA Blogs
Caregiver’s Blog
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Researcher’s Blog
“A Path Forward” – Dr. Amanda Woerman (Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst)
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects a key area of the brain responsible for regulating vital bodily functions. As a result, patients with MSA develop orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure when moving from...
“Sticking With MSA” -Dr. Wouter Peelearts (Researcher, Michigan)
Sticking with Multiple System Atrophy
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a rare brain disorder that until recently was largely ignored by the research community. MSA is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease caused by a decline of the body’s most basic and vital functions including breathing, digestion, urination, controlling blood pressure and movement.
Advocate’s Blog
“Defeat MSA Down Under Announces New Global Research Consortium”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 7/16/20 “Defeat MSA Down Under Announces New Global Research Consortium” DETROIT, MI—Defeat MSA Australia and New Zealand announces the formation of a new global consortium of charities for people living with Multiple System Atrophy. The...
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR RECENT VOLUNTEERS!
A BIG BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR RECENT VOLUNTEERS! Together, We Can and Will Defeat MSA Forever!! SANDRA BETTENHAUSEN MARY BETH MCCORD FLYNN MICHAEL SMITH DAMIEN GAFFNEY MIKE BOYLAN, JR JEANNINE BRAGG CRAIG STEVENS SUSAN YOUNG ROSEMARY DU MONT OLIVIA ROMANO CHERIE...
On the Road Again – MSA Awareness Shoe Departs Brisbane for Melbourne!
Our beloved MSA Awareness Shoe is back on the road after helping to #KickMSA in Brisbane, Australia and surrounding areas! Thank you Pamela and Richard Woolford for hosting our dear globetrotting shoe! Now it returns to home base, Melbourne to the care of Olivia...
Patient’s Blog
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
“MSA United charities were formed to give voice to those affected by this little known, devastating disease. Indescribable grief and suffering has been channeled into positive action to help fund crucial research and provide ongoing support for those dealing with MSA. Each one of the charities are worthwhile organisations. I hope to see each of them continue to grow and reach more and more people in need.”
“All the charities associated with Defeat MSA are committed to the funding of clinical research, that kind which is most valuable to patients living with MSA today. They are also dedicated to supporting patients, educating medical professionals and raising public awareness. This disease does not have a marathon or a 5k run; instead they use an intriguing device: a traveling shoe in a symbolic marathon to spread awareness within the medical community and among the general public about this devastating disease.”
Dr. Pratik Bhattacharya, MD, MPH
LOOKING FOR OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED?
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO #DEFEATMSA
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on YouTube
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on YouTube