During Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, MSWorld Celebrates Individuals and Groups Who Empower People with MS

SARASOTA, Fla., March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, poses unique challenges for every individual. To recognize the family, friends, healthcare teams and advocacy organizations who offer vital support to those living with the disease, MSWorld, the largest all-patient-run MS organization worldwide, and biotechnology company Biogen, created #MySupportHero. This MS Awareness Month program encourages people living with MS to virtually thank and recognize their support partners for their ongoing help, care and strength.

While every experience is different, many people living with MS report feeling overwhelmed at times. As the disease progresses, they—along with their support partners—will likely face physical and emotional challenges such as fatigue, depression and stress.1 During these times, support partners can offer much appreciated assistance, including a reassuring presence at doctor’s appointments, help navigating treatment, nutrition and exercise discussions, and importantly, a reason to laugh and enjoy life beyond MS.

“Living with MS for nearly thirty years, I’ve learned the value of receiving help from others,” said Kathleen Wilson, Founding President and CEO of MSWorld. “Regardless of what the challenges are, so often just the right words or assistance has the potential to transform fear and loss into hope and courage to embrace another day. We want to offer people in the MS community a platform to celebrate their support partners by joining the #MySupportHero conversation and adding to the virtual garden of orange flowers online.”

People living with MS can participate by:

helps to provide educational information for persons affected by MS