Walk, run, dance or move – 9,000 steps for MS as people with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland announce World MS Day 2016 in County Dublin
World MS Day will take place on Wednesday May 25th 2016
Ireland, Monday May 9th 2016: World MS Day 2016 will take place on Wednesday May 25th and those living with Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland are asking people in County Dublin to walk, run, dance or move 9,000 steps for MS (that’s 6.5k) and raise funds for vital services. Mum of three Olivia Kirwan, 36, from Balbriggan, Dublin, was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS at the age of 29 and is representing the MS community this World MS Day 2016. MS Ireland, the national organisation providing vital services, information and support to people with MS is encouraging all to get involved through its website www.ms-society.ie and to please text STEPS to 50300 to donate €4.
More than 9,000 people in Ireland are living with Multiple Sclerosis with thousands more affected as family members.
World MS Day events will take place across Ireland on and around Wednesday May 25th.
In Dublin on World MS Day May 25th, MS Ireland will run a 9,000 Steps for MS treadmill challenge at Basecamp Outdoor Store, Middle Abbey St from 8am until 8pm. Lorraine Ho, Bootcamp Ireland will host 9,000 steps bootcamp style at the store at 1pm. Individuals or groups may sign up on www.ms-society.ie or contact Sam, samanthal@ms-society.ie
Funds raised will directly help in services provision locally, in particular, physiotherapy, counselling, the MS Nurse resource and respite at the national MS Care Centre.
Ava Battles, Chief Executive, MS Ireland comments: “When World MS Day comes around each May it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and support people with MS locally. We’re delighted to launch the fundraising campaign ‘9,000 Steps for MS’ to mark World MS Day. We know that exercise has great benefits, for people with MS it helps manage symptoms and of course exercise helps all of us. This campaign reflects a community of more than 9,000 people with MS and encourages everyone to get involved in whatever way they can.”
The variance in presence, severity and duration of MS symptoms coupled with the intermittent and progressive nature of MS impacts not only the person with MS but also family. Symptoms include impaired mobility, severe fatigue, cognitive difficulties, affecting decisions around employment, and family life. Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition of young adults in Ireland, most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Three times more women than men are diagnosed with MS. There is currently no known cause or cure for the condition.
Supporters of World MS Day and 9,000 steps for MS include Lorraine Ho, Bootcamp Ireland, Leinster rugby player James Tracy, Ireland’s women’s rugby stars Ailis Egan and Jenny Murphy, and many more are taking up the #strongerthanMS campaign.
The MS Research team at University of Limerick (UL) will hold a 9,000 Steps for MS walk at 10.30am on World MS Day Wednesday May 25th, showcasing the latest research at 12pm and celebrating five years of partnership with MS Ireland. Step it Up is a UL based exercise and education MS research project, led by Prof Susan Coote, funded by the Health Research Board in collaboration with MS Ireland and Prof Rob Motl from the University of Illinois. For more information please visit www.msresearch.ie