August 3, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc Remington College Opens Partnership with National MS Society by Raising $4,000 to Advance Goals Remington CollegeĀ initiated its partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ by raising more than $4,000 to support the society and its efforts to advance research into multiple sclerosis and care for patients. The money was raised at campus events that markedĀ World MS DayĀ inĀ May. In addition to encouraging…
June 5, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Claiming My MS and Accepting the Reality of My Disease Growing up in a spiritual family, I can remember hearing the words āwe are not going to claim it.ā These were words of comfort, hope, and support when a catastrophic event was impending. The dictum was to pray, believe in what you pray for, and to “not claim” whatever…
May 22, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson MS and Mental Illness: The World Needs You Spring has sprung! As I look around, Mother Earth is in bloom. Trees are sprouting new leaves, plants are growing, and the grass isĀ green once again. I love spring and all that it represents ā hopes for new birth and rebirth. For those who are unaware, May is Mental…
May 18, 2018 News by Patricia Silva, PhD National MS Society Welcomes Mud-Lovers to 2018 MuckFest MS The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is inviting all mud-lovers to Saturday’s kickoff ofĀ MuckFest MSĀ in Boston, Massachusetts, which raises money and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). The event includes a 5K āmud runā with āoutrageous obstacles and a whole lot of mudā thatĀ definitely will make you sore āfrom…
May 7, 2018 News by Iqra Mumal, MSc MS on the Rise But Still Not a Top Health Priority for Australians, Study Shows Despite increasing prevalence, multiple sclerosis (MS) continues to fly under the radar with only 40 percent of Australians ranking MS as a community health priority, highlighting the need for greater awareness. Estimates show that 25,600 Australians live with MS ā an increase of 4,400 over the past eight years.
May 2, 2018 News by Catarina Silva Members of Canadian Parliament Commemorate MS Awareness Month Members of Parliament and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of CanadaĀ are jointly celebrating May as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month. Both parties met in Ottawa April 30-May 2 to kick-off the MS awareness campaignĀ #LifeWithMs. According to an international survey, it is estimated that one in every 340 Canadians…
April 6, 2018 Columns by Jamie Hughes You Only Think You Know When I tell people I have multiple sclerosis, I usually get one of three responses: ā¢ “Oh, no! I feel so bad for you!” (Pity) ā¢ “Is that the one with the telethon?” (Confusion) ā¢ “I know all about that disease! My sister-in-lawās cousinās college roommate has…
March 28, 2018 Columns by Cathy Chester Here’s How to Honor the First #ProgressiveMSDay Weāre all familiar with the yearly observance of MS Awareness Week and MS Awareness Month to raise awareness about multipleĀ sclerosis. Considering that so many rare diseases, such asĀ Graves’ disease or Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, go largely unnoticed, the MS community is blessed with its fair…
March 27, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Moving Forward After MS Awareness Month We are approaching the conclusion of National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, but those of us with MS know that the responsibility to educate is unending. I was pondering what my topic would be this week. As awareness month exits, I want to proffer an encouraging message. This…
March 5, 2018 News by Jose Marques Lopes, PhD MS Progression Focus of MSAA Events, ‘Ask Experts’ Sessions for Awareness Month Understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) progression will be the focus of theĀ Multiple Sclerosis Association of AmericaāsĀ (MSAA) campaign for MS Awareness Month 2018. March has been recognized asĀ MS Awareness MonthĀ since 2003. Across the U.S., MSAA events aim to raise public awareness about the disease, and increase involvement in…
March 1, 2018 Columns by Laura Kolaczkowski MS Education and Advocacy Are as Important as Awareness I fell out of sight in February, thanks to a case of the flu. Influenza B and its lingering side effects took me out of action from almost everything except sleeping, but Iāll save those details for another story. As I come out of my flu-induced fog, I see…
January 23, 2018 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Online Video Aims to Show How ‘Invisible’ Disabilities Affect Lives The Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA) has created a video to raise awareness about the hardships of disabilities that are real but not readily evident to passersby, and often complicate life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other disorders. The video, called āI Am Invisible No More,ā features…
November 2, 2017 Columns by Jennifer (Jenn) Powell Don’t Miss Out on Life I love photographs and have them strewn about and framed throughout the house. From grandchildren and goldens, holidays and travels, each holds a cherished memory. I am happiest taking photos and have cultivated somewhat of a hobby doing so. As I have gotten older, I have (gratefully) discarded the…
October 31, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Invisible Illness Awareness: The Struggle Continues Last week was Invisible Illness Awareness Week, which ran from Oct 14-20. Awareness weeks are designed to bring attention to certain conditions, issues and situations. They are directed at creating consciousness and disseminating information. Sadly, invisible illness is a subject that needs much more attention. Those of…
August 18, 2017 News by Charles Moore Twin Cities MuckFest MS, Mud- and Obstacle-filled Run for MS Society, Set for Saturday The Twin Cities MuckFest MS is set for Saturday at the Scott County Fair in Jordan, Minnesota. All money raised in the event will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to support its work in helping people living with multiple sclerosis and in advancing research toward better treatments and a cure. The MuckFest MS is a fun mud run that has raised millions for the Society, and requires no special training or equipment ā the only things needed, organizers says, are sneakers, a sense of humor and a willingness to get a little mucky. Participants run on a designed 5K course that features super-sized obstacles and lots of mud. A first wave of runners in the Aug. 19 event will take to the course at 9 a.m., followed by successive groups every 20 minutes throughout the day. "We muck it because ā¦ We want to end MS," MuckFest MS proclaims on its webpage. "Even though the event is built for laughs from start to finish, weāre on a serious mission to advance cutting-edge research and support the life-changing work of the National MS Society." Runners are advised to wear closed-toe sneakers, and cleats of any kind are not permitted. An older of soiled choice of clothing is welcome, but should be clothes that won't restrict movement and will provide protection as runners move through the obstacles. Pants or shorts are acceptable. Many muckers, organizers say, choose to wear thin work or athletic gloves to better grip obstacles and ropes. All MuckFest MS events are held in wet muddy fields, so there is little flat terrain. They are not ADA-standard accessible, wheelchair runners will have to move through grass and dirt. The organizers, however, promise to do their best to make portions of the event accessible to people with disabilities. Participation is $105 on the day of event, plus processing fee, and those planning to register Saturday are asked to arrive by 10 a.m. Online registration is now closed. Spectators are welcome without charge. According to the MS Society, "the MuckFest MS runners and volunteers have raised over $27 million to support the life-changing work of the National MS Society" to date. "That means more cutting-edge research and continued support for people living with MS in your community." Multiple Sclerosis News Today plans to interview an event participant ā Beth Kantor, a retired nurse from Plymouth, Minnesota, who has relapsing MS ā after the event. Kantor is also volunteering at this year's MuckFest MS, helping others as they too take to the course. The first wave/start time is at 9:00 a.m Saturday, August 19, and then every 20 minutes throughout the day. More information, including a look at the obstacles, is available here. A blog by past Muckfesters, offering ideas and suggestions, is also available. MuckFest MS runs take place in a dozen U.S. cities each year. AbbVie is the national sponsor, and local sponsors for MuckFest MS 2017 include Acorda and Genentech. A national event sponsor is The Traveler Beer Co.
July 24, 2017 Columns by Debi Wilson How MS Helped Me Embrace Living in the Present My multiple sclerosis (MS) brings fatigue, pain, and instability into my life, but surprisingly, it also makes me more aware of my life and surroundings. For me, that means being more aware in the present moment and focusing on the good in my life right now. Living in…
June 12, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Maccabees Band Plans Charity Concert for the United Kingdom’s MS Society The Maccabees rock band will play an exclusive gig in London to raise funds for the United Kingdom’s MS Society, supporting the organizationās mission of trying to end multiple sclerosis. A key reason for the concert is the group’s passion about the disease. Band members Felix and Hugo White…
June 8, 2017 News by Charles Moore ‘MS from the Inside Out’ Uses Virtual Reality to Share What Life for Patients Is Like Virtual reality (VR) technology is most commonlyĀ associated with gaming and entertainment, but it’s expanding intoĀ a variety of clinical and healthcare applications.Ā The Ontario-based biopharmaceutical firm EMD Serono, Canada, is now using VR as an informational and educational tool to provide a more profound understanding of what living with multiple sclerosis…
May 31, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD It’s World MS Day, a Time to Share Tips and Raise Awareness with the Tag #LifewithMS Today is World MS Day,Ā and people around the world are sharing tips for living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by using the hashtagĀ #LifewithMS on social media. TheĀ MS International FederationĀ started World MS Day in 2009. Events and campaigns take place throughout May to encourage the global MS community to…
May 25, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe Launches ‘Life Moments with MS’ to Mark May 31, World MS Day May 31 isĀ World MS Day. In its honor, Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe has launched āLife Moments with MS” ā a social media campaign to raise awareness about theĀ challenges people with multiple sclerosis (MS) face every day. Tevaās campaign, which uses the hashtag #LifeMomentswithMS, also includes educational resources on what…
May 22, 2017 Columns by Debi Wilson A Walk in the Park Reminds Me That I Am Not Alone My walk in the park usually consists of watching every one of my steps, while conserving my energy so I can finish the trek. In the midst of my walk, I remain acutely aware of how weak my legs are, and hope they don’t give out on me. For…
April 11, 2017 News by Joana Fernandes, PhD Kentucky Student Whose Mom Has MS to Cycle Across US with Other Fund-raisers Caleb Taylor, a second-year University of KentuckyĀ Law School student, has chosen a challenging way to raise awareness and raise funds for multiple sclerosis, a disease that changed his family’s life forever when it struck his mother. Taylor will pedal across America as part of the Bike the US for…
March 31, 2017 News by Charles Moore ‘My Story’ Opens, Giving a Shared Voice to People Dealing with Challenges of MS AsĀ the challenge of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) often leaves patients feeling isolated and depressed, the biopharmaceutical firm EMD Serono has launched an online storytelling platform calledĀ My Story. The platform is designed to be an empowering and therapeutic support resource for patients and caregivers in their struggles with MS.
March 22, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Swallowing Problems in MS That Lead to Pneumonia Need Attention, Professor Says Swallowing difficulties and reduced cough are a major, yet commonly overlooked, issue in patients with multiple sclerosis and other brain conditions, according to Dr. Don Bolser, aĀ University of FloridaĀ (UF) professor. Pharmaceutical companies haven’t recognized the importance of preventing bits of food and drink from getting into the lungs while…
March 21, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My Fight Song for Multiple Sclerosis Most of us have heard Rachel Platten’s Fight Song. It became an anthem for many people who struggle with illness and adversity. Fight Song has become one of my favorite odes. As a writer, I love to listen to the words of song lyrics. The music is…
March 14, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Advocacy and Chronic Illness: Always Take a Proactive Approach This was an eventful week. I was not feeling well and ultimately ended up in the hospital for a couple of days. I had severe neck pain that radiated to my shoulder and arm. In addition, I woke up one morning with severe chest pains. I couldn’t determine whether…
March 8, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Walk MS 2017 Events Expected to Bring Total Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis Past $1 Billion This year’s annualĀ Walk MS event will bring cumulative fundraising for multiple sclerosis (MS) and the National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyĀ (NMSS) since 1988 to more thanĀ $1 billion, say organizers. āWalk MS is a joyous gathering with a wonderful ‘we’re in this together’ feeling,ā NMSS President and CEO Cyndi ZagieboyloĀ said…
March 3, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MS Organizations Join #MySupportHero Initiative to Help Patients Salute Those Who Care A number of multiple sclerosis organizations have joined BiogenĀ in the second year of the #MySupportHero initiative. The social media campaign is a way forĀ people with multiple sclerosis (MS)Ā Ā toĀ thank those who give them the care, Ā encouragement, attention, and strength they need. The initiative runs through the end ofĀ March, which…
March 2, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD MSAA Releases Promotional Video to Mark Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month On a Monday in July, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) gave Kathy, who loves to hike in the woods, a cooling vest that reduces heat stress ā a common issue for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).Ā On a Wednesday in October, the nonprofitĀ funded an MRI for Sarah,…
January 16, 2017 News by Patricia Silva, PhD Multiple Sclerosis Association, Antidote Technologies Collaborate to Raise Clinical-trial Awareness The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) and Antidote TechnologiesĀ announced a partnership to increase awareness aboutĀ clinical trials on multiple sclerosis (MS) and to make important information more accessible. In addition to helping those with the disease, the effort aims to help companies planning trials to find participants for…