Our Story.
Suffer well. Suffer strong
Life becomes more meaningful when you realise the simple fact that you'll never get the same moment twice.
Me, MJD & Fundraising
Hi, I’m Bec.
I began fundraising for Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) research in 2017, driven by a desire to raise awareness—not just for MJD, but for all people living with disability. MJD runs in my family. In early 2017, my younger sister and I underwent genetic testing and both tested positive for the MJD gene.
Getting that result was life-altering. But instead of letting fear take over, I decided to take action. I didn’t want to drift through life—I wanted to give it purpose. Having grown up with a parent living with disability, and now facing that same reality myself, I felt called to do something meaningful, not just for me and my family, but for anyone walking a similar path.
That calling led to the Ten Summits Challenge in 2018: a five-day hike across the 10 highest peaks in Australia, raising over $27,000 for MJD research. We had planned a second challenge, but the Black Summer bushfires forced its cancellation. Then came COVID—and like many, we had to rethink everything.
In 2022, we launched the Jewels ’22 Challenge, a virtual step challenge held in memory of my mum, Julie Hickox, who passed away from MJD in 2018 at just 54. It was a huge success: over 200 participants raised $12,000, proving that even when we’re apart, we can make a real difference together.
Since then, we’ve evolved and rebranded as MJD Walk for a Cure. Our mission remains the same: to raise funds, start conversations, and support others impacted by this cruel disease. In 2025, we’re excited to shake things up again with a brand-new one-day event along Victoria’s High Country Rail Trail—a walk/run challenge from Tallangatta to Wodonga (with a shorter option available too). Our hope is to make this an annual event, growing it year by year.
Fundraising has given me and my family the chance to connect with others, share stories, and find meaning in the midst of pain. It’s taught us to treasure the simple things, to take the detour, to go for the extra hike. Because when you know time is precious, you don’t waste it.
People often ask how I feel about the future. My answer is simple: I focus on today. But shouldn’t that be how we all live? No one knows what tomorrow holds. The only thing we truly have is the present—and how we choose to use it.
So I’ll leave you with this:
Suffering is part of life. We don’t choose whether or not we suffer—but we do choose how we face it.
Suffer well. Suffer strong.
Will you make a difference today? Will you walk with us, donate, or share our story?
Join us in the MJD Walk for a Cure—and help create hope for tomorrow.
Naomi’s Story (2022)