Jack Osbourne and Teva Launch New Educational Multiple Sclerosis Website

Reality TV star Jack Osbourne has partnered with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. to launch a new website as part of a three-year campaign called You Don’t Know Jack About MS. The site can be viewed here: www.youdontknowjackaboutms.com. The campaign is meant to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as offer resources to help the MS community in the United States.

Jack Osbourne became known to the American public after the successful MTV reality show The Osbournes between 2002 and 2004, which chronicled the daily lives of rock star Ozzy Osbourne and his family. In 2012, Jack was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of the disease. After the diagnosis, Osbourne committed himself to helping others with the same condition and this project aims to provide new content, resources, and a docu-series.

The website will feature Jack’s journey dealing with RRMS, and is expected to help not only MS patients, but also families, friends, and caregivers better manage and cope with the diagnosis and the daily struggle of living with the disease. The project, which was developed by Jack and Teva, was launched in celebration of World Multiple Sclerosis Day on May 27th.

“I have a personal interest in developing the new You Don’t Know Jack About MS website to make it as helpful and relatable as possible for those living with MS, like myself,” said Osbourne in a press release. “Since my diagnosis three years ago, I have found so much satisfaction in helping others better understand MS, and I hope the new content inspires others who are living with MS to take an active role in how they manage their disease.”

At You Don’t Know Jack About MS, visitors will find stories of MS patients and advocates who will try to dispel myths and misconceptions about the disease, downloadable tools and resources, as well as an online video docu-series and a blog, both of which focused on chronicling Jack’s personal experience with the disease.

The comprehensive educational content, which includes information and tools to assist patients in coping and dealing with different stages of MS from diagnosis to disease management, are produced by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA). The MSAA will also provide information on the function of MS in the body and give recommendations on how to explain the disease to family, friends and children.

“Living with MS can be challenging at times, so it’s important that people with MS have access to relatable and reliable information,” explained the vice president of Programs and Services at MSAA, Peter Damiri. “MSAA’s mission is to improve lives today for the entire MS community and we applaud Jack for his openness and commitment to raising awareness for this disease. MSAA is proud to partner with Jack and Teva and provide our educational content for the You Don’t Know Jack About MS program.”

Alongside the launch of You Don’t Know Jack About MS, the campaign also announced series of online activities scheduled for this year, including the launch of two other webisodes and blog posts from Jack, addressing subjects like fitness and diet, stress management and his plans on how to discuss the disease with his daughter, Pearl, who was born three weeks after he was diagnosed with MS.

The website will also include guest bloggers, such as MS medical specialists and Jack’s mother, Sharon Osbourne, who will contribute posts providing their own perspectives on MS and its impact. You Don’t Know Jack About MS is the result of the ongoing efforts and commitment of Jack Osbourne, Teva Pharmaceuticals and the MSAA. Jack Osbourne continues to lead an active life, both personal and professionally, having earned the third place in Dancing with the Stars in 2013.

In addition to being an example on how to lead a healthy lifestyle regardless of an MS diagnosis, Osbourne was also granted the Nancy Davis’ 20th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala award in recognition of his courage in announcing his diagnosis, and for being a role model to others patients.