MSAA Draws Attention to Multiple Sclerosis Progression during MS Awareness Month

The organization will host a series of activities and events focused on providing education and raising awareness about multiple sclerosis during the month of March

March is officially recognized as MS Awareness Month, and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is focusing their 2018 MS Awareness Month campaign on Understanding MS progression, with specific topics addressing relapse management, brain preservation and cognition, and primary-progressive MS (PPMS). MSAA invites everyone to participate in weekly awareness events and educational programs throughout March – topics and activities scheduled for the month include:

• Helpful Tools for Relapse Management (week of March 12): With support through an educational grant from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, MSAA will host a live webinar on Helpful Tools for MS Relapse Management featuring Elizabeth Crabtree-Hartman, MD on Tuesday, March 13 from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST, as well as an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) program with Annette Okai, MD on Monday, March 12 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST on MSAA’s free online forum, My MSAA Community.
• Brain Preservation and Cognition (week of March 19): Supported through an educational grant from Celgene, MSAA will offer five educational programs across the country, present the results of a national patient brain preservation and cognition survey, and host an AMA with Rohit Bakshi, MD, FAAN on Monday, March 19 from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST on MSAA’s Facebook page.
• Healthy Living with Primary-Progressive MS (week of March 26): MSAA has dedicated the last week of MS Awareness Month to promoting healthy living with primary-progressive MS. With support through an educational grant from Genentech, MSAA will sponsor five educational programs and host the final AMA on March 29 at 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST on MSAA’s Facebook page with Steven Bromley, MD.

To learn more about MS Awareness Month and MSAA’s scheduled activities, please contact Kaitlyn Gallagher, Public Relations & Marketing Coordinator at (800) 532-7667, ext. 122 or via email at kgallagher@mymsaa.org.

About MSAA

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is a national nonprofit organization and leading resource for the entire MS community, improving lives today through vital services and support. MSAA provides free programs and services, such as: a Helpline with trained specialists; award-winning publications, including MSAA’s magazine, The Motivator; MSAA’s nationally recognized website featuring award-winning educational videos and research updates; S.E.A.R.C.H.™ program to assist the MS community with learning about different treatment choices; a mobile phone app, My MS Manager™ (named one of the best multiple sclerosis iPhone & Android apps by Healthline.com); a resource database, My MS Resource Locator®; safety and mobility equipment distribution; cooling accessories for heat-sensitive individuals; educational programs held across the country; MRI funding; My MSAA Community, a peer-to-peer online support forum; a clinical trial search tool; and more. For additional information, please visit www.mymsaa.org or call (800) 532-7667.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which consists of the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. MS damages or destroys the protective covering (known as myelin) surrounding the nerves of the CNS, and can potentially injure the nerves as well. This damage causes reduced communication between the brain and nerve pathways. Common MS symptoms include visual problems, overwhelming fatigue, difficulty with balance and coordination, depression and cognitive issues, and various levels of impaired mobility. Many experts estimate that 2.5 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with this disease, and most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 50. MS is not contagious and researchers continue to look for both a cause and a cure.