What a year it has been for MS worldwide. The 2011 global theme of ‘Work and MS’ formed the backbone of the Australian campaign this year with the first roundtable on employment held in Queensland. Participants came from a variety of backgrounds including specialists from the MS Society, government policy advisors, and directors of key government departments, people with MS, and employers. Current policies preventing people with MS to access or stay in work, common workplace misunderstandings and discrimination in the workplace were all discussed.
Alongside this high level discussion came the launch of 'MS Heroes', an annual awards program to raise awareness of MS, and to celebrate the contributions of Queenslanders to the multiple sclerosis cause. The 2011 MS Heroes were awarded at the Governor’s Reception in celebration of World MS Day. Griffith University and the Women’s Legal Service were both recognised for the high standards which they have met in supporting employees with chronic illnesses like MS.
Our Australian ‘Kiss Goodbye to MS’ campaign continued to be an eye-catching, fun way to raise awareness of MS amongst the public during MS Awareness Week. Kiss Goodbye to MS was promoted in Brisbane as iconic bridges and buildings in the city turned red for the cause.
The Society would like to thank everyone involved with all of these projects for making World MS Day and MS Awareness Week the most celebrated yet!
Visit www.worldmsday.org for more information.
Visit www.worldmsday.org for more information.
