MSAA Opens New Online Community Forum for MS Patients, Caregivers

by Patricia Silva, PhD | August 16, 2016

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) recently announced the official launch of My MSAA Community, a free online community forum supporting people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and their caregivers and family members, and offering a way for patients to connect with others facing the same challenges.

MSAA is a nonprofit organization and a resource center for the MS community with a range of programs and services provided at no charge, including a help line staffed by trained professionals, publications like the biannual magazine The Motivator, award-winning educational videos, and research updates. The MSAA also runs the S.E.A.R.C.H. program to keep patients informed about treatment choices, and offers patients and caregivers a dedicated phone app, called My MS Manager, to better track changing symptoms, medication, and related information.

My MSAA Community is hosted by HealthUnlocked, a health-specific social network used by more than 40 million people every year.

“At MSAA, we continue to explore new and innovative ways to help improve lives for people affected by MS, so we are thrilled to partner with HealthUnlocked on My MSAA Community,” Gina Ross Murdoch, MSAA’s president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “Having a place to share, connect, and get support can significantly improve one’s quality of life. This online, peer-to-peer support platform offers people with MS an opportunity to communicate with others experiencing similar challenges and helps people know they are not alone in this journey.”

“Support and information are two of the largest factors in people managing their own health. This new community, specifically for people with MS, will provide vital support, allowing people who are experiencing similar health issues to ask questions and receive information, and access valuable help from MSAA,” Dr. Matt Jameson Evans, HealthUnlocked chief medical officer, added. “This community has the potential to transform and dramatically improve the lives of many people with MS.”

MS patients are invited to use MY MSAA Community online forum to join conversations with other patients or caregivers, or to launch new conversations on topics of interest or concern to them. Again, the free community forum is available by following this link.

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About the Author

Patricia Silva, PhD Patrícia holds a PhD in medical microbiology and infectious diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Lisbon, Portugal. Her work in academia was mainly focused on molecular biology and the genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites. Patrícia earned several travel awards to present her work at international scientific meetings. She is a published author of several peer-reviewed science articles.