MS Queensland

1 – 7 June 2009

Across Australia, the first week in June is celebrated as MS Awareness Week, where the state MS Societies from around the country unite to raise awareness and funds for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), with a variety of activities in each state.

MS AWARENESS WEEK ACTIVITIES

Gold Coast PwMS Information Night - Tuesday 2nd June – 6pm - 9pm.   

Gold Coast City Council Offices
Administration Building
Surfers Board Room
Level 1
135 Bundall Road

Gold Coast PwMS INFORMATION NIGHT which will cover many subjects including "Partners to Learn about MS".  An extended question time at the completion of meeting would be encouraged.  So if you would like to attend please advise ASAP and come along with questions pertaining to your "Living with MS". The general consensus at the PwMS meetings is that as much INFO as possible is desired by the members, so lets take advantage of this invitation from MS QLD. We will start with coffee and informal discussion from 6pm for the early birds and then follow at 6:30pm with the Guest Speakers.  This should allow working people to attend without too much rushing.

This meeting has been organised by the Gold Coast PwMS Group. Please RSVP here

Wesley Mission Brisbane
Sinnamon Village Day Therapy Centre

Topics will include:

• What is MS (and advanced disease issues)
• Understanding Cognitive Changes in MS
• The MS Society of Qld and our Resources…

MS is the most common chronic neurological disease affecting 18,000 Australians, and there is no known cause or cure. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The progress, severity and specific symptoms of the disease cannot be predicted.

The average age of diagnosis is 30, and the disease affects three times as many women than men. Symptoms may include: extreme tiredness (fatigue), impaired vision, loss of balance and muscle
coordination, slurred speech, tremors, stiffness, difficulty walking, short-term memory loss, and in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis.

“Due to the mysterious and unpredictable nature of MS, the disease is largely misunderstood. During MS Awareness Week, events all around Australia are raising much-needed funds, while also educating thousands of people to the cause," says MS Australia chairman Graham Tribe.

MS is a lifelong disease for which a cure is yet to be found. Doctors and scientists are however, making discoveries in treating and understanding MS everyday. Fundraising efforts from MS Awareness week and other year-round activities are crucial to these medical breakthroughs and the earch for a cure.

As part of MS Awareness Week there are national initiatives, as well as state based events run by the MS Society in each territory:

National activities:

New brand campaign and tagline “Giving life back”

MS Australia is launching a new campaign that revolves around the message that MS Australia “Gives life back” to those living with MS through care, support services and research. There will be a significant media campaign around MS Awareness Week that focuses on two people with MS that ell their real stories: Jason and Rob.

MS Readathon – celebrating 30 years

The MS Readathon is Australia’s largest and most established reading challenge that celebrates a 30 year anniversary during MS Awareness Week. Children across the country will be opening their books during MS Awareness Week to read as many books as possible in June, while raising money or those living with MS. In 2009 the fundraising target for the MS Readathon is $5,000,000, and 100,000 participants.