Schizophrenia is a complex and debilitating mental illness and affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide. Some go on to recover completely, but 30% remain treatment-resistant. Professor Ashley Bush and his team at The Florey are passionate about helping those inflicted with this cruel disease and have embarked on research focused on finding a cure through the identification of a new class of therapeutic drugs. Their research suggests that there is often an increase of iron in the brain of those suffering from schizophrenia. This is significant because iron can cause overproduction of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine and serotonin. Most existing schizophrenia drugs work by trying to block dopamine. Professor Bush and his international colleagues are investigating whether a drug that is known to lower brain iron, Deferiprone can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia. This could potentially be lifechanging for those living with schizophrenia.

Francesca Hargrave, well-known in her hometown of Flinders on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, last year became aware of the ground-breaking research that Ashley and his team are working on and has become passionate about helping them achieve their goals. Francesca and her team (including Captain Doogie, her red lab) are circumnavigating Australia in her catamaran ‘Persian Sands’ in an effort to raise $200,000 towards the research. The journey began in 2021 and is being completed in stages. Recently it sailed from Port Douglas (Cairns) to Darwin (~3000nm). In June 2024 they are sailing from Darwin to Broome. The next leg will be to Exmouth. You can follow the journey on Facebook here.

Between 150,000 – 200,000 Australians are affected by the disease. People with schizophrenia are 2 – 3 times more likely to die earlier than the general population. It often causes significant distress and impairment to all facets of life – personal, family, social, housing, educational and occupational. The stigma associated with the disease is intense and widespread, leaving many sufferers isolated and depressed.

Your donation will help fund this exciting research into Schizophrenia at The Florey and give hope to sufferers and their families.