MEET ANNE-MAREE O'NEIL
MS is the most common neurological disorder in young adults, often striking right in the prime of life. This was true for Anne-Maree who was diagnosed at just 32 years of age with two young children.
For Anne-Maree, it all began with a twitch under her eye. Then, suddenly one morning things got worse.
“I I looked in the mirror and half my face had dropped. I panicked because it was so obvious.”
She went straight to her GP who referred her to a specialist. Then it was confirmed; she had multiple sclerosis. For Anne-Maree, the diagnosis came as a shock.
“You could have just ripped my heart out really. I only knew one person with MS, and she unfortunately passed away at 30 years of age. My friend Christine, who had the most beautiful soul, had an aggressive form. That was my only experience with someone [with MS]. I thought that this was going to be my path.”
“I am now a grandmother, a Nonna, to two beautiful grandsons and I refuse to not be a part of their lives; I want to show them that things are possible and that they can call on their own strength in times of need. I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a niece, an aunty, a Nonna and a friend, in each of these relationships there is so much I want to be a part of.”
On occasion and sometimes at length, Anne-Maree can suffer incredible pain caused by her MS.
“I suffer intermittent attacks of trigeminal neuralgia – I have MS lesions on the trigeminal nerve which cause severe facial pain. I can’t eat or drink due to the pain, I can’t even really bring a glass of water to my mouth because even the smell of water makes me feel ill.”
In the past, Anne-Maree had difficulty walking and talking and would spend days in hospital trying to reduce inflammation. Being able to take on The May 50K and walk hundreds of kilometers throughout the month is still an incredible accomplishment for Anne-Maree. And she is back for her 4th year!
“Being part of something larger than myself, joining in for the good of others, is some of the best medicine out there.”
In 2025 Anne-Maree featured in an episode of MS Australia’s podcast “The Raw Nerve” alongside The May 50K’s own Sophie! You can find their episode ‘The May 50K: Health, hope and the future of MS Research’ anywhere you get your podcasts!
For Anne-Maree, The May 50K is all about ‘hope’.
“Once I had finished my first The May 50K in 2023, it opened my eyes to the ability I had to make a difference and to be a part of change… It’s a very empowering place to be. It [The May 50K] has now become a passion & when you have passion – anything is possible!!!!!”
The May 50K is a whole community event in Anne-Maree's area. The town gets together to host a walk-a-thon in support of Anne-Maree's fundraising. Family, friends, colleagues and local businesses help promote the event and support her during her challenge. A local graphic designer even helps by designing the walk-a-thon posters!
Their community is getting ready to host the walk-a-thon again for 2026. This year the Walkathon will be held on the 24th of May, commencing at Windmill Dr. Lake Wendouree Ballarat.
Anne-Maree is very proud, and thankful for her community, and especially her husband, daughter and son, for their unwavering support. She is grateful, not only to those who donated to her fundraising page, but also those who also registered and rose to the challenge alongside her.
It is no surprise that Anne-Maree was 2024’s The May 50K top fundraiser having raised over $25,000 last year alone.
Since her first year starting The May 50K in 2023, Anne-Maree has raised over $62,000 for MS Australia in total. She truly is a fundraising superstar!
To her fellow fundraisers, Anne-Maree has a message:
“Good on you. Keep motivated. As a person living with MS, you have my absolute and full support, and I congratulate you all.”
We couldn’t say it better ourselves!
Thank you for raising vital funds for MS research so together we can find a future free from MS. The May 50K raises funds to support life-changing research into the prevention, treatment and finding a cure for MS.
