Mr Anthony Virgona passed away in February 2016, just four days after making the deeply personal decision to stop the kidney dialysis that had kept him alive for the previous three years.
Anthony had lived with multiple sclerosis for two decades. Over that time, the degenerative condition took away almost all of his independence, including his ability to walk, bathe and feed himself. He became a strong advocate for voluntary euthanasia and for the right of terminally ill and severely disabled people to have a say in their own end-of-life choices.
At the time, Anthony said, “I’ve been fighting this disease for 20 years and I’ve just had enough. People who are in a position like me, people with cancer, people who are dying or deteriorating, we should have the right to make a choice whether we go on and we should be able to go peacefully.”
Anthony was posthumously awarded the Sir Louis Pyke Award by Multiple Sclerosis Victoria in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the MS community.
Sir Louis Pyke was a philanthropist and Multiple Sclerosis board member whose wife had MS. The award is presented each year to a person who has made a significant contribution to people living with multiple sclerosis, their families or carers.
Multiple Sclerosis Victoria Chief Executive Robyn Hunter said Anthony worked tirelessly to raise awareness about MS and to support the everyday practical concerns of people living with the disease.
“Anthony was inspiring, caring and made a significant contribution to helping others through his willingness to share his own experiences and challenges with multiple sclerosis and by providing information to others,” Ms Hunter said.
“It is an absolute honour to award him the Sir Louis Pyke Award posthumously.”
The following are his final words to everyone
It is now January 2016, 10 years since I started writing my book, from walking with a walking frame to this now. From living at home to living in a nursing home for the last 12 years.
My health has now deteriorated further and been on dialysis for 2 ½ years as I lost 1 kidney and the 1 I have is working 1 per cent, and dialysis 3 times a week to keep me alive. Unfortunately, now dialysis is becoming too difficult for me and have decided to end my dialysis on the 5th March 2016,
Which means I will pass always within five to ten days. I am ok with this, I have lost a lot since January 1999, but am grateful in have achieve.
I have enjoyed my involvement with the MS Society, firstly back in my early years as an MS Ambassador. Most all, My Role as Vice President and Editor of Newsletter Short Circuit Newsletter, I enjoy 12 wonderful years on the committee with such a wonderful group of people I am glad to call friends now.
Many friends at MSL, like Robyn Hunter, Raye Bayley, Sandy Kugis who have helped me so much with sending out newsletter, also Flavio and Nancy from FM Printing.
Thanks to all our members throughout our Metro and Country regions of Victoria for your support over the 12 years.
Anthony Virgona
Vice President/Editor PwMS-V
