Dave's story to Fight Rapid Onset MND - please help us.

Dave Cronin, 52, also known as Dolphin Dave or Bull, is a beloved father of 11, a grandfather to a tiny granddaughter, a son, brother, military veteran, husband, partner, friend, and cherished by many friends and family worldwide. Dave was recently diagnosed with rapid onset Motor Neuron Disease (MND).

After a permanent back injury in 1995 and a heart attack in 2017, followed by unbearable leg and back pain, Dave has continued to persevere. Despite needing a carer for some time, he has always lived life to the fullest, enduring the aftermath of a day's work or family activities like fishing and camping with remarkable resilience.

Now, however, his muscles are deteriorating as motor neurons fail to transmit signals from his brain to his arms, legs, chest, throat, and tongue. He requires full-time care and various aids for sleeping, breathing, eating, showering, dressing, and mobility, including a walker and soon an electric wheelchair.

Despite these challenges, Dave remains self-reliant, taking time to listen and talk to family and friends whenever he can. He continues to donate what little he has to support others facing cancer and other issues, some of whom have unfortunately lost their battles in the past year.

Dave has made countless friends through his life's journey, from school and the army to being a dad, coaching Auskick, fishing, prospecting, serving in the SES, captaining the Dolphin Ferry, and running tag-along tours on K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). He has always helped people realize their dreams and potential.

He participated in Mullets for Mental Health with the Black Dog Institute, coloring his mullet with four of his boys. Dave and one of his groups also took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge for MND, never imagining he would later be diagnosed with a rare, rapid-onset form of the disease.

With 11 children aged 8 to 32 and the current economic climate, finances are tight. We humbly ask for your support in raising awareness of MND and, if possible, donating to help Dave and his family. They need funds to upgrade to a vehicle that can accommodate an electric wheelchair, create lifelong memories, cover essential expenses such as medication and aids, and, unfortunately, funeral costs.

Dave and his family are not ones to ask for help but would be eternally grateful to have peace of mind knowing that his family is safe and can create lasting, loving memories with him. He had hoped to have many more years to teach them everything he knows.

At the start of February 2024, Dave was fitting his Ute with off-grid capability. By the end of the month, he welcomed his first grandchild, but his health rapidly declined. His voice became slurred, his breathing labored, and weakness spread throughout his limbs and chest, especially on his right side. Twitching in his arms and legs has now spread to his entire body.

While we hope for a cure or at least a slowing of his symptoms, we are trying to come to terms with the reality that we will lose our beloved Dave sooner rather than later. Most live for only a year or two at the most before succumbing to this horrible disease.

If you can help contribute, we would be eternally grateful. We shall update this page continuously so that you can see how your contribution makes a difference. Thank-you.