We are well on the way to finding a cure

Dedicated. Reliable. Determined

Gavin Shaw jumped in to help when he saw the anguish that a debilitating skin disease was causing to his friend’s daughter.

Gavin was moved by the impact of the genetic illness, epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which causes the skin to break and blister, leading to pain, disfigurement and open wounds.

He is now an invaluable volunteer with the EB Research Foundation, which raises funds for treatments and the search for a cure.

“It’s close to your heart when you see your friend’s daughter is not well and you’re there with three healthy kids. You just want to help out where you can,” he says.

“My greatest achievement, apart from my family, is being part of the team helping to find a cure for EB, the worst disease you’ve never heard of.”

Gavin is honoured to be voted a Westfield Local Hero. “It’s great to know that we are in a community that will help people out where they can.”

Gavin spends many hours a week supporting the foundation and increasing awareness in the community. One of his projects involved sourcing over one hundred items to auction at the Cotton Ball, the foundation’s largest fundraising event.

His wife, Cindy, and their three children also help out with fundraisers and raising awareness at work and at school.

“In the short time the EB Research Foundation has been established, we have helped raise a lot of funds that have been directed to research,” he says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation.

The EB Research Foundation will use its grant to fund a symposium for medical and research professionals from leading hospitals and institutes to update them on research and encourage their involvement.

“We are trying to get as many medical professionals involved in research as possible, as many believe there is a cure within reach,” says Gavin.

“The Westfield grant is a welcomed contribution towards finding a cure for
the worst disease you’ve never heard of”.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __