This week saw the launch of a new supporter-led campaign called ‘MS Must Stop’. It's led by Sara Weller from our Stop MS Appeal Board and she's brought other volunteers, community members and supporters on board.
Whilst the overall aim of their campaign is to raise money to fund vital research for breakthrough MS treatments, we’re honoured that the MS Society has been chosen as the beneficiary. More specifically, any money raised will be donated to our Stop MS Appeal.
We asked Sara why she chose to support the MS Society. She says “I got involved with the MS Society when I was invited to the annual lecture and dinner by Hilary Sears, who I had worked with a long time ago. I had just recently been diagnosed with MS so decided to come along to find out more about the condition. From there I started to get more involved.
The best reason to support the Stop MS Appeal is because we have some of the best scientists in the world here doing research that they think puts stopping MS progression within touching distance. So, people can feel that the money they give us increases the prospect of making a difference sooner rather than later”.
A number of top business leaders have shown support for the campaign with video messages. And Sara and her volunteer team have done a fantastic job of securing media coverage for it in The Guardian, Evening Standard and online. It’s even been featured on the BT Tower this week!
This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when people in the MS community come together. Two of the volunteers featured in the campaign are also staff members. They tell us why they wanted to get involved:
Roxy Murray, Production Manager, says “I said yes because who doesn’t want to stop MS! I absolutely loved the idea behind the campaign, the art direction, inclusivity, and good diverse representation of it.
MS treatments have come so far in the last few years, and we are closer than ever to creating treatments that could help halt progression. So being part of something so beautifully created and that really does reflect the thoughts, feelings and needs of the community just meant a lot as someone who has had MS for 16years.
A campaign like this can change the future of MS. I wanted to be a part of that future”.
Amy Thompson, Digital Engagement Officer, says “Getting diagnosed with MS at the age of 21 changed my life in a number of ways – both good and bad. On one hand, MS has changed my perspective for the better and it’s increased my ambition to live my life to the fullest. However, all of that is constantly challenged by the MS rollercoaster and the fact that life with MS is incredibly unpredictable.
So that’s exactly why I wanted to get involved in this brilliant campaign – firstly to raise awareness of MS, but secondly to help raise the funds needed for crucial research that can give a brighter future to people like me living with MS.”
How you can support
If you’d like to support the MS Must Stop campaign, you can follow them on Instagram @msmuststop.
We’ll also be sharing the video across our social media channels, so keep a lookout for it and repost if you can.
Thank you
Thanks to Sara and all of the volunteers involved in creating the campaign. Breakthrough treatments are within touching distance, and together we’re one step closer to our goal of a world free from MS.
For more information, please visit the Just Giving website
