A tribute to Steve Backhaus, the farmer from Flinders Island

November 2021

Earlier this year the Clifford Craig Foundation was introduced to a man named Steve Backhaus.

In 2020, Steve was diagnosed with motor neurone disease and overnight, his life changed forever.

Despite the tremendous health challenges Steve was facing, he was determined to stay positive and use the time he had left to help make a difference.

This included taking part in medical research trials to help slow the disease’s progression.

He also bravely shared his story with the Clifford Craig Foundation to help raise awareness for a newly supported project – Tasmania’s first international multi-centre motor neurone disease therapeutic trial.

Sadly earlier this month, Steve passed away – less than two years after his MND diagnosis.

A farmer from Flinders Island, he has left behind a lasting legacy advocating for the importance of medical research. It was Steve’s hope that one day, a cure for MND will be found. 

The Clifford Craig Foundation expresses its sincere condolences to Steve’s family for their loss.

His legacy reminds us how important it is to ensure the incredible medical researchers working to find answers to diseases such as MND, get all the support they need.

This is what Steve wanted, and we once again thank him for his bravery.