World MS Day

World MS Day

MS Australia (MSA) and the international MS community will recognise World MS Day on Wednesday 31 May 2017.

MSA CEO Deidre Mackechnie says the 2017 World MS Day theme -Life with MS' is a great opportunity to focus on living well with MS in Australia and has been captured on film, and World MS Day formally recognised in the Australian Parliament.

'World MS Day helps us to raise awareness about MS – the public can share stories, attend events, support community campaigns and together, strengthen the network of people living with MS across the world", she said. 'The day is also a chance to recognise MS community support networks, such as organisations, carers and others."

-LIFE WITH MS' ON FILM
Film is a great way to spread the word and in a new MSA video series, five Australian women talk about the challenges of and share tips for -living well with MS'. We were really excited that MSA National Advocate Mike Welsh was chosen for one of three international videos, for the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) global campaign.

HANSARD MOTION
MSA was also thrilled when, on 10 May 10 2017, the Australian Parliament recognised World MS Day 2017 and -Life with MS' through a motion passed by the Senate – alongside the condition, the role of families, friends and carers, and the need for continued action for investment in research and to improve support access.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

More than 23,000 people throughout Australia live with MS (and more than 2.3 million worldwide)

It is the most common chronic neurological condition diagnosed in young adults 

MS is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40

75% of people diagnosed are women

MS varies significantly from person to person. For some, it is a disease that comes and goes in severity with periods of unpredictable relapse and remission. For others it means a progressive decline over time.  For all, it is life changing.

Symptoms vary between people and can come and go; they can include severe pain, walking difficulties, debilitating fatigue, partial blindness and thinking and memory problems.

There is no known cause or cure.

To participate in World MS Day on Wednesday May 31 2017:

For video links, the full Senate Hansard Motion and more visit: https://www.msaustralia.org.au/get-involved/world-ms-day-2017-wednesday-31st-may

Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MSAustralia/

Join us on Twitter: #LifewithMS

Visit the global World MS Day website: https://worldmsday.org/

And/or find a World MS Day event near you!