A mother remembered, a movement honoured — Global MND Awareness Day

Today is Global MND/ALS Awareness Day — a date that falls on the solstice for a reason.

It’s a turning point. It marks the shift — the return of longer days and a sense of renewal.

We remember the lives lost to motor neurone disease (MND), stand with those living with it, and reflect on what it means to truly make time count.

This year, Global MND Awareness Day falls alongside Matariki, a time for remembrance, honouring those who’ve passed, coming together, and planting seeds for the future.

For Hayley Forrest, our Business Support Manager at Motor Neurone Disease NZ, June holds deep personal meaning. Her mum was diagnosed with MND in June 2017 — just before her birthday — and died 17 months later.

“Mum was only 66. She’d just started thinking about retirement — she and Dad would buy a motorhome and travel, with no real plans.

“She’d been having knee problems — even had a knee replacement. But it wasn’t that. Further testing led to the diagnosis. She died in November 2018.”

This year, Hayley planted her very first flower seeds — blue cornflowers, the international symbol of hope for the MND community.

“I’m not green-fingered — this was my first time growing anything. But I wanted to start with cornflowers because they mean something. They’re resilient. They’re blooming in winter. And every time I look out the window, there are more.

“They remind me of Mum. She always had fresh flowers in the house — she loved bright colours. She would’ve loved these.”

“June is full of markers for me — Mum’s diagnosis, her birthday, my sister’s birthday, Global MND Awareness Day, Matariki. It all happens in June. And it all matters.”

And now, as Matariki rises and the light begins to return, we share Hayley’s photo — a single blue cornflower blooming through winter.

A quiet tribute to remembrance, resilience, and the love that continues to grow.