Novartis, iHeartRadio Team Up for ‘A Night for MS Awareness’ on March 11

In recognition of National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month — celebrated throughout March — Novartis and iHeartRadio are teaming up on a virtual event to celebrate the resilient spirit of people affected by MS.

Called “A Night for MS Awareness,” the event will be streamed on iHeartRadio’s YouTube page at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 11.

“The purpose of ‘A Night for MS Awareness’ and our partnership with iHeartRadio is to celebrate the resilient spirit of people living with MS and their various support networks,” Leverne Marsh, vice president and head of the U.S. neuroscience franchise for Novartis, said in an email to Multiple Sclerosis News Today.

The night will feature Andy Grammer, a multi-platinum singer and songwriter. Some of Grammer’s more well-known songs include “Honey, I’m Good,” “Fine By Me,” and “Keep Your Head Up.”

Grammer will be joined by event co-hosts Skeery Jones and Kate Milliken. Jones is a renowned radio personality, known for “Elvis Duran & the Morning Show.” Milliken, a healthcare entrepreneur and film producer, is a well-known MS patient advocate who has lived with the disease for more than 14 years.

Jones and Milliken will guide conversations on topics like the benefits of music in MS, sharing insights with the community.

“We hope this can’t-miss event … will be uplifting and empowering for those impacted by MS,” Marsh said.

For anyone who can’t make the event, the entire show will be available on iHeartRadio’s YouTube channel March 12 through 18.

According to Marsh, the “A Night for MS Awareness” event continues the mission of the recently launched project MS Vibes.

A collaboration between Novartis and iHeartRadio, MS Vibes is a free on-demand streaming radio station dedicated to the MS community. The station features playlists of popular music selected with the goal of raising listeners’ spirits.

Jones and Milliken host a series of monthly podcasts on MS Vibes, called “MS Journeys.” On this show, the co-hosts interview people in the MS community — including caregivers, experts, and people living with the disease — to shed light on the daily challenges of living with MS, and to offer guidance and education.

“I’m excited to be a part of the team bringing ‘A Night for MS Awareness’ and MS Vibes to the MS community,” Marsh said.

“Our priority is to raise awareness around the impact of MS as a debilitating neurological condition and to reinforce Novartis’ commitment to being a partner to the MS community beyond treatment,” she added.

Novartis markets a number of approved MS therapies, including Mayzent (siponimod), Gilenya (fingolimod), Extavia (interferon beta-1b), and Kesimpta (ofatumumab). It is also involved in the development of MS diagnostic tests and tools to monitor disease progression.

Note: Due to localization issues, the link to MS Vibes may not work for readers in some countries.