World MS Day celebrated globally

ON Wednesday 30 May, more than two million people living with multiple sclerosis globally will commemorate World MS Day and share the challenges of living with an incurable disease like MS.

Every year, the MS movement comes together to provide the public with information about MS and how it affects the lives of more than two million people around the world. World MS Day is the only global awareness raising campaign for MS.

CEO of MS Australia – QLD Lincoln Hopper, said Brisbane will be abuzz on World MS Day with King George Square, City Hall, QPAC, the Treasury Casino, Kurilpa Bridge, Gateway Bridges, the Wheel of Brisbane and the new Wintergarden all lighting up red for the MS cause.

"This year we’re focusing on living with MS to share and advocate the challenges that people with MS face daily and the simple changes that can help them live fulfilling lives after diagnosis,” Mr Hopper said.

The global theme for the past two years has focussed on the importance of employment retention for people living with chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis.

“Due to a number of reasons, up to 80% of people with MS have to give up work within 10 years of diagnosis, when a greater understanding of the disease by them and their employer would have enabled them to stay in employment,” Lincoln said.

To highlight this fact the MS Society in Queensland launched a viral YouTube campaign ‘Employment and MS’ using three Queenslanders living with MS; Ipswich Lord Mayor Paul Pisasale, young mum Wenda Shurety and legal support officer Leiza Richmond. The videos have seen more than 7,000 views to date.

“The short films are honest and emotive and depict three real employment scenarios of how employment and MS works; working part-time, full time and returning to the workforce after having children,” Mr Hopper said.

“Sadly MS largely affects young adults aged between 20 and 40, particularly females, so raising awareness of the disease this World MS Day has never been more important to ensure early diagnosis,” he said.

In Australia alone, more than 21,000 people are living with MS, a chronic neurological disease which attacks the brain and spinal cord causing irreparable damage. There is no cure.

World MS Day was launched in 2009 with over 200 events in 67 countries and has continued to grow every year. Around the world on Wednesday 30 May, over 75 countries will take part in World MS Day activities to support those living with the disease.

To help the Australian campaign and the lives of those living with MS, visit www.kissgoodbyetoms.org or follow the campaign on Twitter or Facebook www.facebook.com/KissgoodbyetoMS