Tribute to pioneering MND advocate Euan MacDonald
The University is deeply saddened by the loss of MND ambassador and philanthropist Euan MacDonald MBE.
Mr MacDonald died on Wednesday 21 August, aged 50.
Mr MacDonald was just 29 when he was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2003.
The diagnosis proved no barrier to more than two decades’ worth of tireless advocacy and leadership for countless people living with MND and other disabilities.
Alongside his father, Donald MacDonald CBE, Mr MacDonald co-founded The Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research in 2007.
The Centre – based at the University of Edinburgh – is a network of more than 250 researchers from across Scotland who are working to improve the lives of people with MND and related conditions, and find treatments that can slow, stop or reverse the condition.
Mr MacDonald and his father’s generous support has helped the Centre gain international recognition and establish Scotland as a global leader in MND research.
Read a tribute from Professor Siddharthan Chandran, Director of the Euan MacDonald Centre
Remarkable legacy
Euan MacDonald was born 14 August 1974 in Sheffield. His family moved to Edinburgh shortly after where he enrolled at George Watson’s College before moving to Glenalmond College in Perthshire.
After studying at the Universities of St Andrews, and Edinburgh, Euan worked for investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort in London.
Four years after his diagnosis, Euan and his father founded the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research through a philanthropic gift.
Since then, it has grown to become a thriving centre for MND research, from discovery science to clinical trials. This includes the landmark MND-SMART trial – the largest-ever drugs trial for MND in the UK.
Inspired by one of Euan’s own ideas, the centre established SpeakUnique, a spinout company that uses cutting-edge speech technology to allow people with degenerative diseases to retain their identity and communicate in a voice that sounds like their own, when natural speech is not possible.
Disability champion
In 2009, he was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in recognition of his contribution to services for people with motor neuron disease.
In 2013, Euan joined forces with his sister, Kiki, and their father to create Euan’s Guide, a disabled access review charity.
The charity has made tens of thousands of accessible toilets safer for people with disabilities, and its website is a vital resource for wheelchair users, their families, friends and carers to share their knowledge of accessible places across the UK.
Euan was an extraordinary man who, through his vision, advocacy and leadership, brought hope and helped transform the lives of countless people living with MND and other disabilities. He will be greatly missed by everyone at the Euan MacDonald Centre, but whose legacy will only grow further through all those he touched. Our thoughts are with Euan’s family and friends.
I was so sad to learn that we have lost the inspiring and remarkable Euan MacDonald, and I send my sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Euan was an extraordinary person whose advocacy for the MND community has helped to push the boundaries of research in this area. His impact at the University will continue to live on through our MND research and the Euan MacDonald Centre, which bears his name in recognition of his support.
Related links
Euan's Guide - Disabled Access Reviews
Image credit: Callum Bennetts - Maverick Photo Agency