⭐ Top donor
James Hagekyriakou
Donate to vital medical research today!
Giving Day ends in
help us change lives.
James just donated $137.15- Benjamin just donated $27.81
- Emma just donated $27.81
- Alex just donated $103.72
- Gail just donated $400
- MIchael just donated $263.75
- Lucy just donated $54.12
- Alex. Cane just donated $33.15
- Murray just donated $1,040
- Michael just donated $1,000
- Reg just donated $527.50
- Michael just donated $106.12
- Monireh just donated $54.12
- Mehrnaz just donated $211
- Lachlan just donated $54.12
- Jennifer Cook just donated $106.12
- Mark just donated $2.99
- Carlie just donated $27.81
- Sunnyside Foundation just donated $60,000
- Amy just donated $54.12
Huge thank you to our match donors!
Kevin Sheehan
Mike Younger
Charles Bagot
Phil Binns
Donal O'Dwyer
Kerard Hogg
Noella Billington
Tim Donahue
Dominic Lammerts
Jackson Barrett
Karen Campitelli
Billy Robinson
Brent & Libby Kirschner
Stella Clark AM
Prescott Family Foundation
Maureen O'Keefe
Jo Crowston
Rosemary Nixon
Rick Goldberg
Robert Klupacs
Jen Dicker
Rob Shepherd
Dominic Lammerts
Elaine Saunders
Hugh & Fiona MacLachlan
Veena D'Souza
Wes & Jane Dunn
Angela Emslie
Neil Balme
James Fallon
Andrew Papaleo
Chris Burns
Sam McLarty
Join AFL legend Neil Balme and pledge your support
“If my epilepsy drugs weren’t working, I’d try vagus nerve stimulation for sure. This research is fantastic.”
Together we can make a difference
Support on March 10 and DOUBLE your impact!
$25 = $50
Contribute towards essential, cutting-edge equipment that make groudbreaking discoveries possible
$50 = $100
Empowers researchers to carry out life-changing clinical trials that help bring treatments from the lab to the people who need them most
$150 = $300
Help create a future where millions with debilitating conditions find relief and renewed hope
What is vagus nerve stimulation?
The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the gut and branches to many organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver and gut. It is involved in processes such as the body’s anti-inflammatory response and connects to brain areas linked to memory, learning and behaviour, which are associated with neurological conditions including epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.
Vagus nerve stimulation at the neck is an approved treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy but can cause side effects affecting heart rate and breathing.
To address this, Bionics Institute researchers developed the abdominal Vagus Nerve Stimulation (aVNS) System, which stimulates the vagus nerve below the diaphragm without heart or lung side effects. The system uses an electrode array implanted via keyhole surgery, powered by a battery at the hip, activated by the recipient, and monitored and adjusted through a clinician app, with the potential to reduce the need for medication or injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate before March 10?
Yes! If you want to donate sooner, donations received before 8am on 10 March will still be counted towards the target for our Giving Day 2026. However, for your donation to be matched and doubled, it will need to be made during the official 24 hours of our Giving Day between 8am AEST on 10 March until 8am AEST on 11 March.
How is my donation doubled?
Every dollar you donate will be matched by a generous group of donors who are excited to help the Bioincs Institute continue vital research. When a donor (such as yourself) gives an amount on the day, our matched donors funds will be activated - effectively doubling the amount you have donated. But you must give between 8am AEST on 10 March until 8am AEST on 11 March, or before the matched funds run out!
How much of my donation is tax deductible?
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. You are only able to claim the amount you personally donate, and not the matched total amount.
