Sterling’s Dream
Ageing

Sterling’s Dream

Support Sterling’s Dream! Sterling is just 10 years old. He has a dream – to find a cure to Dementia.

When he was just 3 years old his Grandmother was admitted into a nursing home and since then he has always wanted to find a cure. Now he can – with your help.

Sterling is an Ambassador for The Common Good, and wants to inspire every-day people to power medical discoveries that can make the world better.

Sterling has a dream and he epitomises the issue that dementia affects everyone – even someone so young.

There is no cure for dementia. It can happen to anyone. Right now, there are more than 44 million sufferers worldwide, and that number is expected to treble by 2050. The impact this will have on individuals, their families and our health system will be devastating.

The search for a solution is underway, and a team at The Prince Charles Hospital is right at the forefront, working to identify the biological process that sets dementia in motion well before memory loss occurs.

Identifying Dementia – before it takes hold.

The dementia research project now known as “Sterling’s Dream” is being led by Dr Eamonn Eeles, Geriatrician & Dementia Researcher and his team: “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 70% of all dementias. The program is inviting 50 patients with Alzheimer’s disease and 10 healthy individuals to participate in tests of function, including memory and brain scans.”

“Both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scans will be used in testing, and from the findings we will better understand if there are differences in the characteristics of healthy brains, compared with those with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, these scans will provide new information on how the chemicals in the brain, called cholinergic transmitters, function in both health and Alzheimer’s disease. This is crucial in enabling us to identify which patients may respond better to treatments, and therefore help to target management of Alzheimer’s disease more effectively.”

“All participants will be scanned using state of the art brain imaging technology at the newly-established Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) located at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH). By using this innovative scanner, and a radioactive tracer, we will be able to directly measure chemical signals in the memory forming part of the brain. This imaging, together with the scans will give us the best look yet into the workings of the brain, and will enable us to better evaluate changes that happen with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.”

“With the prospect of dementia reaching epidemic proportions in the not-too-distant future, a breakthrough from findings from Sterling’s dream will be critical.” adds Dr Eamonn Eeles.

Sterling’s Dream needs $1 million over the next 3 years to ensure this important research collaboration is able to be completed, and Sterling Nasa is determined to promote the need for Australians to donate money to make this important research a reality.

Sterling epitomises the impact that dementia has. While the disease affects older people its impact over many years has a huge impact on their loved ones – including the grandchildren. It is referred to as the long goodbye and to see someone you care for disappearing before your eyes is heart wrenching. Sterling’s Dream has the potential to catch the disease early. It has affected a young boy – and he is doing something about it. Help us turn helpless into hopeful.

Support The Common Good here.

Published: June 27, 2019

Related news & events

National Safe Work Month 2025

Lung Disease

National Safe Work Month 2025

National Safe Work Month 2025: This campaign raises awareness of Workplace Health and Safety and provides workplaces around the country with guidance and resources. More here.

Find out more

The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s Giving Day Impacts

The Common Good

The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s Giving Day Impacts

It’s nearly time for our fifth annual Giving Day, and our first four have delivered impacts that are nothing short of amazing. Learn more.

Find out more

Fidget blankets handcrafted for patients with dementia at The Prince Charles Hospital

Ageing

Fidget blankets handcrafted for patients with dementia at The Prince Charles Hospital

A group of sewers from the Coolangatta Seniors, known as the “Fabric Floozies,” have handcrafted fidget blankets for patients with dementia at The Prince Charles Hospital.

Find out more

Dementia Action Week 2025: ‘Nobody can do it alone’

Ageing

Dementia Action Week 2025: ‘Nobody can do it alone’

This Dementia Action Week 2025, Dementia Australia wants to encourage people in the community to reach out to people impacted by dementia.

Find out more

Child Life Therapy program expands thanks to Foundation supporters

The Common Good

Child Life Therapy program expands thanks to Foundation supporters

We have been able to fund the expansion of the Child Life Therapy program at The Prince Charles Hospital and into Caboolture Hospital thanks to our remarkable supporters.

Find out more

Dozens cycle for transplant research at 2025 Cycle of Giving

The Common Good

Dozens cycle for transplant research at 2025 Cycle of Giving

The Cycle of Giving has returned to the Sunshine Coast in 2025, with dozens of riders pedalling for vital transplant research.

Find out more

Collaborative Seed Grants at The Prince Charles Hospital

Research Grants

Collaborative Seed Grants at The Prince Charles Hospital

If you’re waiting for the Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer to hit your lips, we’ve got good news! The creation for a good cause is back in 2023, and brewing is…

Find out more

Stone & Wood’s Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer is back in 2025

Uncategorised

Stone & Wood’s Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer is back in 2025

If you’re waiting for the Strawberry Sundae Kisses beer to hit your lips, we’ve got good news! The creation for a good cause is back in 2023, and brewing is…

Find out more

Acknowledging our Corporate Volunteers this National Volunteer Week

Volunteering

Acknowledging our Corporate Volunteers this National Volunteer Week

This National Volunteer Week, we want to say a big thank you to our corporate volunteers who answer our call for help.

Find out more