awareness

Understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) progression will be the focus of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America’s (MSAA) campaign for MS Awareness Month 2018. March has been recognized as MS Awareness Month since 2003. Across the U.S., MSAA events aim to raise public awareness about the disease, and increase involvement in…

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 I’ll save those details for another story. As I come out of my flu-induced fog, I see…

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 “I Am Invisible No More,” features…

An estimated 947,000 people in the U.S. have multiple sclerosis (MS) — more than double the long-accepted figure of 400,000 — according to a newly completed study organized and funded by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). “This is definitely not what we expected,”  Nicholas G. LaRocca, vice…

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…

Those of us who have MS know that our disease can be invisible. We don’t always stumble when we walk. We don’t always use some sort of an assistive device that would alert people to our illness. So what we often get from those who don’t know better are those…

April and Bernie Hester are busy planning their second 500-mile thru-hike of South Carolina's Palmetto Trail, which they will begin on Oct. 1 to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis and funds for the National MS Society. Thousands of people hike parts of the trail every year, but few do the entire 500-mile hike, said Suzette Anderson, of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF), an organization dedicated to conserving South Carolina's natural and cultural resources. The couple's "Finish MS Hike" is the second time they'll be hiking the full trail this year. In April they started hiking from the sea and 66 days later completed the trail in the mountains. This time they'll start in the mountains and end at the sea. The couple will traverse over mountains, on trails, through cities, and on roadways. April, who has MS, is hoping that her efforts will bring much-needed awareness to the condition and that the pair can reach their goal of raising $100,000 for MS research toward a cure. Their effort, combined with the debilitating effects of MS, are among the reasons why April and Bernie Hester were recognized as trail ambassadors by the PCF. The couple will post regular updates on their “Finish MS Hike” blog and Instagram account, to allow people to follow their adventures, read about their journey, and gain insight as they face and conquer challenges along the way. The couple has already written a few entries to keep their audience informed. The Palmetto is the longest trail and largest trail construction project in South Carolina. Today, the trail crosses the state from Walhalla in the mountains of Oconee County to Awendaw on the coast in Charleston County. Another 150 miles in the Midlands and Upstate remain to be acquired and constructed. To help raise money to "Finish the Trail," the PCF and RJ Rockers Brewing Company have combined their passions for trekking and craft beer to create Palmetto Trail Pale Ale. A portion of sales goes to support and finish the Palmetto Trail. You can buy Palmetto Trail Pale Ale at any of the following locations: RJ Rockers Brewery, Craft and Draft, Texas Roadhouse, Thirsty Fellow, Flying Saucer, Capital City Club, Triangle Char+Bar, Bohemian Bull, Publico Kitchen & Tap.

Today is Falls Prevention Awareness Day, an annual campaign that occurs every Sept. 22 to encourage multiple sclerosis patients and others prone to falls to give a little extra thought on how to identify factors for falls. The event, coordinated by the National Council on Aging, will be the 10th in an annual series that has taken place since 2007. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is contributing to the event by presenting research into MS-related falls, as well as resources to identify risk factors of falling. Research shows that 50 to 70 percent of MS patients report falling at least once over a six-month period, with about 30 percent falling several times. Many people with MS also get injured when they fall, adding significantly to the burden of MS. Studies show that typical MS symptoms, such as poor gait and balance, or the loss of proprioception — the perception of where body parts are in a space — contribute to falls in MS, which typically occur while doing everyday activities at home. To better understand why people with MS fall, and how to best prevent it, current research focuses on better detection of falls. One approach is to use automatic fall detection devices, which patients can wear. A 2015 symposium on gait and balance in MS focused specifically on falls. The meeting concluded that although knowledge and prevention strategies have improved, much remains to be done. In that regard, the International MS Fall Prevention Research Network helps researchers collaborate on falls research. But neurological symptoms are not the only factors at play. Psychological issues make up another area in the risk spectrum, says the NMSS. Fear of falling or overconfidence both contribute, as does inactivity. Besides the guide, the NMSS has also developed the Free From Falls program, containing eight modules with webinars, downloadable educational material and video-guided exercises. These materials teach patients about biological, behavioral and environmental risk factors for falling, while also offering tips and strategies that may reduce the risk of falls.

What better time of year to talk about getting good sleep than heading into the fall season, which is followed by the dark days of winter? Although we are not furry creatures who curl up in a cave to sleep through the winter, many of us wish we could do…

A recent patient survey reveals that almost one in four people with multiple sclerosis in the U.K. are not aware of available treatments that could help delay the onset of disability, even though a clear majority put disability as a chief worry. The report, funded by Sanofi Genzyme, was conducted by Adelphi…

Today is World MS Day, and people around the world are sharing tips for living with multiple sclerosis (MS) by using the hashtag #LifewithMS on social media. The MS International Federation started World MS Day in 2009. Events and campaigns take place throughout May to encourage the global MS community to…

May 31 is World MS Day. In its honor, Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe has launched “Life Moments with MS” — a social media campaign to raise awareness about the challenges people with multiple sclerosis (MS) face every day. Teva’s campaign, which uses the hashtag #LifeMomentswithMS, also includes educational resources on what…

“Coping with Caregiver Burnout When Caring for A Person with Neurodegenerative Disease: A Guide for Caregivers,” published in the April 2017 issue of the Archives for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is intended to give better insight into caregiver burnout, and what might be…

Members of Parliament are helping the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada commemorate May as MS Awareness Month. The lawmakers will be meeting with society representatives and other members of the MS community in the capital of Ottawa, May 1-3. MS Awareness Month is a run-up to World MS Day on May…

Caleb Taylor, a second-year University of Kentucky 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…

As 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 called My Story. The platform is designed to be an empowering and therapeutic support resource for patients and caregivers in their struggles with MS.

There won’t be a lot of my words in this column but there will be lot of pictures. The column is devoted to some very personal multiple sclerosis art: Tattoos. Most of these “tats” contain an orange ribbon, the symbol for MS awareness. Some, as you’ll see, are a…

Worldwide Clinical Trials has added two webinars to its free webinar series — the first to observe Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March and the second for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April. Although both are free, attendees need to sign up in advance (see the link below). The first informative session will take place…

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. That means we need to make the most of these four weeks to raise some money for research, and raise awareness about the disease and the 2.5 million people in the world currently living with it. What’s the best way…

Alexa, Amazon’s little voice-activated information box, has just received a multiple sclerosis infusion. As part of MS Awareness Month, fifty facts about MS have been loaded into Alexa’s memory. If a user says “Alexa, start MS Awareness” the system will respond with a random MS fact. (And a short…

In recognition of multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness month, Acorda Therapeutics has launched its Alexa skill, called MS Awareness Facts.  The interactive voice-controlled service allows users to ask Amazon Alexa for information regarding MS and its debilitating symptoms. Amazon Alexa is a cloud-based service that enable customers to interact in…

Here’s my Pick of the Week’s News, as published in Multiple Sclerosis News Today. MS Organizations Join #MySupportHero Initiative to Help Patients Salute Those Who Care Oh, I can see me fitting in well here. To see what I mean, just take a look at two previous…

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 — a common issue for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). On a Wednesday in October, the nonprofit funded an MRI for Sarah,…

March is recognized by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America as MS Awareness Month. Awareness is a vital component of any illness. We must actively engage to collectively congregate and support the cause by way of our time, resources and voices. We are seeking to make communities aware of…

The world’s first registry for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other autoimmune diseases (ADs) has gone online, to honor National Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month in March. The Autoimmune Research Network (ARNet) is a creation of the Michigan-based American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA), which is collaborating with the National Coalition of…

A new online resource, LiveWiseMS.org, aims to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS) and provide patients and caregivers information about the disease’s symptoms and conditions. The platform, developed by the International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN), hopes to promote healthy living and improve quality of life for MS patients and their families.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) and Antidote Technologies announced a partnership to increase awareness about 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…

More than 900 people biked through the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada, late last month, raising money for the Quebec Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC) and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS) all-around. The 27th Medavie Blue Cross MS Bike,  the largest cycling-related fundraising event in North America, was an outstanding success —  surpassing…

General practitioners (GPs) in England lack confidence in initially assessing and referring onward people with neurological symptoms, especially those with multiple sclerosis, and believe they could benefit from better training in identifying and managing neurological patients. One result, according to a report published by the Neurological Alliance, titled “Neurology and primary care: improving the…

In a fair world, reading books would burn the most calories, eating ice cream would be chock-full of antioxidants and vitamins, and no one would have multiple sclerosis. But, like many other people, I have MS and have to live with fatigue, cognitive issues, trouble walking, and so much more…