advocacy

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to help others in any way I could. As early as middle school, I tried to identify a plausible and realistic career where I could fulfill this desire, and eventually landed on therapy as a possible career path. I wanted to…

Helius Medical Technologies is opposing new decisions from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that stipulate how much of the cost of its PoNS device — a neurostimulator designed to improve mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) — will be covered by these…

The Foundation of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (FCMSC) has received a $100,000 donation from EMD Serono, known as Merck Kgaa outside North America, to honor the foundation’s late CEO June Halper by supporting a nursing scholarship fund in her memory. Halper was a former nurse practitioner…

Cionic has partnered with Lovell Government Services, a veteran-owned business, to expand veterans’ access to its Neural Sleeve, a leg-worn device to improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions that affect mobility. The lightweight garment is approved in the U.S. for use…

The MS Society of Canada is hosting its annual MS Read-a-Thon, a fundraiser where children are encouraged to read for a month to support people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in their community. Funds raised will help boost the organization’s support programs for patients and research into a…

Just before my last deployment, I remember sitting in a classroom with other Army Special Forces medics, listening to the representative from a supplier of chest injury dressings. It was common practice for suppliers to send someone to talk about or demonstrate their product as part of the contract.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) said it named Tim Coetzee, PhD, president and chief executive officer. Coetzee had been chief advocacy, services, and science officer for the organization, which provides funding and advocacy programs and services and works toward creating a world without multiple sclerosis (MS). Coetzee…

I almost didn’t write this column. It might be a sensitive topic, but I’m not afraid of offending anyone. Even if I do, it’s not intentional. It’s not that I don’t understand the subject, either. I think I do, but I’ve been having a lot of trouble putting it into…

I was once very good at getting out of the way. This skill served me well in dodgeball games when I was younger, and then later during my military career. Given my various injuries, you might be skeptical about that last comment, but I was actually renowned for my ability…

I choose to fundraise for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through Bike MS, which the society’s website says is “the largest fundraising cycling series in the world.” Approximately 50,000 cyclists and 5,000 teams ride each year, and the community has raised $1.4 billion to support the society’s…

The focus is on diagnosis for this year’s World MS Day, officially “a day of global solidarity, collective action, and hope” for the multiple sclerosis (MS) community, according to a campaign webpage boasting information in more than 100 languages. While the event officially occurs on May 30,…

Lynne Denise, right, and her dad, Don Collins, attend last year’s MS walk in Edwardsville, Illinois. (Photos courtesy of Lynne Denise) Day 30 of 31 This is Lynne Denise’s story: Hello, multiple sclerosis (MS) warriors! My name is Lynne Brush, and I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting…

I have not been kind to my body over the years. I was very active in my old life, although I was a little clumsy even before multiple sclerosis (MS) started affecting my balance. Active and clumsy aren’t a great combination. I accumulated plenty of bumps and bruises along…

Nora Cherubini poses with Stanley, her service dog, during a beach walk. (Photos courtesy of Nora Cherubini) Day 18 of 31 This is Nora Cherubini’s story: “Thank God it’s not MS … because you would wind up in a wheelchair.” This is what a neurologist told me after…

Tori Henderson receives her monthly infusion at an appointment. (Photos courtesy of Tori Henderson) Day 9 of 31 This is Tori Henderson’s story: Henderson, left, poses with her daughter, Kerriyah, for her birthday at Disney World. Thanksgiving 2017 will forever hold a special place in my memories. I…

Multiple Sclerosis News Today has been chronicling MS advocate and podcaster Mike Parker’s journey leading up to a skydiving jump he made on Oct. 29 to benefit the MS Society U.K. Learn more about Mike at mikesmsjourney.com. You can also donate to his fundraiser.  Last…

Multiple Sclerosis News Today is chronicling MS advocate and podcaster Mike Parker’s journey, leading up to a skydiving jump he’ll make Oct. 29 to benefit the MS Society U.K. Learn more about Mike at mikesmsjourney.com. You can also donate to his fundraiser.  Third in a…

Multiple Sclerosis News Today is chronicling MS advocate and podcaster Mike Parker’s journey leading up to a skydiving jump he’ll be making Oct. 29 to benefit the MS Society U.K. Learn more about Mike at mikesmsjourney.com. You can also donate to his fundraiser.  Second in…

Multiple Sclerosis News Today is chronicling MS advocate and podcaster Mike Parker’s journey leading up to a skydiving jump he’ll be making on Oct. 29 to benefit the MS Society U.K. Learn more about Mike at his website mikesmsjourney.com and click here to donate to his fundraiser.

MS Bike‘s cycling fundraiser events have raised at least $4.3 million over the last four months to support MS Canada and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a country with one of the highest rates of the progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The organization predicts up to $4.6 million…

You’d think that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other disabilities would have easy access to healthcare services. That’s not always so. A small study in the journal Health Affairs that I wrote about last year said many physicians “expressed explicit bias toward people with disabilities and described…

I nearly jumped for joy — well, I would’ve if I could’ve — when I saw a new TV commercial for the Expedia travel company the other day. It shows a woman in winter who’s obviously had enough of the cold, ice, and snow. She is desperate to…

The government of Canada soon will provide new income benefits designed to help Canadians living with a disability — including people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Applauded by MS Canada, a nonprofit that actively advocated for these benefits, the announcement follows the passing of the Canada Disability Benefit Act,…

To address knowledge gaps and avoid duplicate efforts in the lab and in trials, 10 multiple sclerosis (MS) organizations from around the world have committed to a single global research strategy to find a cure for the progressive neurodegenerative disorder. The nonprofits, with headquarters in countries ranging from the…

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) has earned a shoutout from the digital fundraising platform DonorDrive for being recognized as one of the top 30 peer-to-peer fundraising programs in the U.S. by the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum. MS Canada also made the list for the top…

Jonathan Allenger, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) a decade ago, is planning to bike more than 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) across Canada to raise awareness and CA$1 million for MS research and patient support services. Proceeds from the journey — set to begin on May 7 and conclude by…

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is holding its ninth annual Improving Lives Benefit to spotlight inspirational members of the multiple sclerosis (MS) community. This year’s fundraisers feature an in-person reception in Philadelphia on May 3 and a “Together at Home” virtual reception on May 18,…

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Holcomb Day 24 of 31 This is Lindsey Holcomb’s story: My daughters were both preschoolers when I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). It took well over a decade to find an answer to the myriad symptoms that had come and…

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has approved a class settlement overhauling a decades-old medical clearance system that led to illegal discrimination in the U.S. Foreign Service against people with mental health conditions or other disabilities, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). The class settlement, signed in December,…

A new podcast series called “A Campbell Never Quits” is telling the life story of Tyler Campbell, a patient advocate who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during his junior year at college. “The podcast aims to appeal to sports fans, people living with MS, and anyone who appreciates…