Lady Primrose Potter, AC, CMRI has today announced a generous $1 million donation to The Florey in honour of her daughter, Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 70.
Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki V Siecin had been living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – a type of dementia more commonly affecting adults in their 50s or 60s.
"My daughter, Primrose, has lost her battle with frontotemporal dementia – a heart-wrenching disease,” said Lady Potter. “Like other forms of dementia, FTD is challenging for carers and family members. At each visit, I watched my daughter steadily disappear; she often didn’t recognise me.”
Lady Potter knows her family is not alone. Every day, 250 Australians are diagnosed with dementia. It is now the second cause of death in all Australians, and the leading cause of death for women in Australia.
Professor Peter van Wijngaarden, Executive Director & CEO of The Florey, said: “We are saddened to learn of the death of Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.
“Frontotemporal dementia is a devastating disease and a focus for research effort at The Florey and globally. It is the second most common cause of young-onset dementia, typically affecting people in the prime of their lives.
“The disease is associated with progressive loss of brain function and is often accompanied by unpredictable behavioural changes which can disrupt relationships and pose immense caregiving challenges.
“With the generous donation in honour of Countess Krasicki v Siecin from the Potter family, a team of Florey researchers will investigate better ways to diagnose FTD and other dementias. We hope that this research will pave the way to improved diagnosis and treatments.
“We are enormously thankful to Lady Primrose Potter for this significant and impactful gift.”
Professor van Wijngaarden said the generosity of the Potter family goes back to the institute’s origins.
“The Potter family connection to The Florey dates back to the 1960s when the late Sir Ian Potter, in collaboration with friends Kenneth and Baillieu Myer, made donations to support the founding of the institute. Sir Potter was a Board Director of The Florey for more than 20 years and is recognised as a Founding Benefactor.
“The family’s enduring support for medical research has been transformative for our organisation. We are sincerely grateful for their contributions over the decades.”
The family will hold a private memorial service in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, mourners are encouraged to make a donation to The Florey.
Head to The Florey’s Memorial Fund in honour of Countess Anne Margaret Primrose Krasicki v Siecin or copy and paste this link into your browser: www.florey.edu.au/support-us/countess-anne-margaret-primrose-krasicki-v-siecin-memorial-fund
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The Florey is Australia’s leading brain research institute with a focus on improving the lives of people with neurological and psychiatric conditions. The Florey’s research missions are centred around dementia, epilepsy, mental health and developing ways to promote brain health and repair the brain. These missions are strengthened by The Florey’s expertise in neurotherapeutics, neuroimaging, synaptic biology and systems neuroscience. With 600 researchers, The Florey is the largest research centre of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Find out more about us on our website: www.florey.edu.au
Contact details:
Georgia Brown, Head of Communications & Engagement
Georgia.Brown@florey.edu.au | 04 3111 3346