In recognition of Rare Disease Day Feb. 29, Bionews Services launched a social media campaign last month asking patients to describe what makes them rare. Running Feb. 7–29, the #WhatMakesMeRare campaign was aimed at uplifting people with rare diseases by encouraging them to share their stories and perspectives. The…

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is celebrating 50 years of work and dedication to improving the lives of people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). Some changes are underway and initiatives being launched to commemorate this milestone. MSAA, a nonprofit organization founded in 1970, aims to provide…

The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) is encouraging family members, caregivers, and patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) to participate in World MS Day today. Created by MSIF and its members in 2009 to promote solidarity and bring hope to those affected by MS, the global initiative takes…

MediaPlanet has launched a robust multimedia campaign aimed at calling attention to multiple sclerosis (MS) and similar diseases and featuring MS patient and former professional hockey player Bryan Bickell. The kickoff was timed for March, which is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. MediaPlanet specializes in content creation and…

A&W Food Services of Canada, a chain of hamburger restaurants, in partnership with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, raised more than $1.9 million at its 10th annual “Burgers to Beat MS” campaign Aug. 16. This is the largest amount the campaign has raised. To celebrate Burgers to Beat MS campaign,…

The American Brain Foundation has started a crowdfunding campaign to support research that could lead to treatments for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Foundation officials said the funds will help facilitate the work of Steffen Jung, head of the immunology department at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.

Christine Sinclair, captain of Canadian women’s soccer teams that won two Olympic bronze medals, has joined the fight against multiple sclerosis by supporting A&W’s Burgers to Beat MS campaign. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada said Sinclair will visit A&W restaurants across Canada on Aug. 23 and 24 to raise funds and awareness of MS. Sinclair is close to the cause because her mother, Sandi, who coached her soccer teams when Christine was a child, has the disease. Sandi is one of about 100,000 people with MS in Canada, which has the highest rate of the disease in the world. "I have become a part of this to educate the public and support finding a cure," Sinclair said in a press release. "I don't want other people to go through what my family has gone through, with the difficulties my mom faces every day." Sandi Sinclair now lives in a long-term care facility. Christine decided to help the MS Society of Canada after her mother's mobility become more and more limited, and she finally ended up in a wheelchair. "Each year we look forward to our partnership with A&W," said Valerie Hussey, chair of the MS Society of Canada's board of directors. "We are excited to have Christine, a Canadian icon, share her personal connection to MS and help raise awareness for our cause." Burgers to Beat MS, now in its ninth year, has raised nearly $10 million for the cause. It is the country's largest annual fundraiser benefiting the MS Society of Canada. From this week on, about 900 A&W restaurants nationwide will be helping the society raise funds. Supporters will be able to donate by rounding up their bill at the register, by buying $1, $2 or $5 paper cutouts, or by dropping cash in donation mugs. Supporters will also be able to contribute online. The campaign will end with a special day on Thursday, Aug. 24, when those who run the restaurants double every donation made from the sale of Teen Burgers. This means the donation on each burger will go from $1 to $2.

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…

A member of the musical Osmond family, David Osmond, recently released a music video for his inspirational song “I Can Do This.” He has dedicated it to men and women all over the world who are faced with challenges that make them doubt their abilities and self-worth, but the real…

Featureflash / Shutterstock.com Television’s “Queen of Mean,” Revenge‘s Madeleine Stowe, recently opened up about her early memories of her father living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease that, until today, does not have a known cure. However, thanks to the efforts of countless researchers and MS…