A radiant field of sunflowers near the Bairnsdale airport has inspired a community campaign to honour the memory of Liz Walford, who sadly passed away from scleroderma in 2023.
Liz was a wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and her family and friends are now working to raise awareness of the little-known autoimmune disease, which has no known cure or government-funded assistance.
The international emblem for scleroderma is the sunflower, and after a conversation with the East Gippsland Agricultural Group, which grew the crop, and Scleroderma Victoria, the idea to raise funds and promote awareness became a reality.
A small committee was formed, sunflowers were picked and sold, and a virtual giving site was established. Local artist Tina Sanka also donated a painting titled Towards the Sun for a raffle, which will be drawn on April 9.
The Sunflowers for Liz campaign encourages the community to support research and initiatives that provide hope and assistance to the 6000 Australians living with scleroderma.
