Multiple Sclerosis is a disease without a cure and with no known overall cause. MS Australia raises funds for research, patient support and community awareness.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Symptoms can range from tingling, numbness and severe fatigue, to blindness and paralysis and can be intermittent, with patients unable to predict when severe symptoms will manifest.

While the actual trigger for MS is still unknown, it is thought that environmental and genetic factors are both involved. There is no known cure for MS, although medications and treatments are available to assist in lessoning the impact of symptoms and in some cases slowing the progression of the disease.

Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with MS, with symptoms generally manifesting between the ages of 20 – 40 years.

The Impact of MS

A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has a far reaching impact. Individuals with MS are often unable to continue in full-time employment and family finances can be greatly affected, particularly when additional medication and treatment costs are considered.

Paralysis, muscular weakness and balance difficulties can cause significant difficulties for patients, particularly parents with MS who are responsible for young children. Many simple everyday tasks can become extremely difficult and physically taxing or simply impossible for some sufferers.

MS Australia

MS Australia is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to facilitate research into cures and treatments for multiple sclerosis and to provide excellent support services for those living with MS in Australia.

The MS Australia website provides information for sufferers and anyone interested in multiple sclerosis and its impact. They can also be contacted by email (infoline@mssociety.com.au) or by phone (Sydney: 02 9646 0600).

MS Info 4 Kids (msozkids.com.au) is a recently launched initiative with a website dedicated to providing information for children of parents with MS.

Assisting MS Australia

Individuals or businesses can assist MS Australia in two ways.

Volunteers are needed to facilitate community education programs and other services offered by the organisation.

Donations are always needed to provide the ongoing research and support programs. Donations can be made through the website and can be specifically allocated to research or support services if desired.

Fundraising events are held throughout the year, facilitated by the relevant State or Territory office.

MS Read-a-thon: 1 – 30 June 2008

MS Australia encourages children to have fun reading to change the lives of Australians living with multiple sclerosis by taking part in the annual MS Read-a-thon. In 2007, more than 52,000 children registered for the MS Read-a-thon, raising in excess of A$4.3 million to help Australians living with MS. This event is one of the largest fundraisers for MS Australia.

Each year the MS Readathon inspires children to help people living with MS by collecting sponsorship from family and friends for the books they read in the month of June. Donations can be made per book or per block of reading time (for example 15 minutes) for older readers.

Each child completing the MS Read-a-thon receives a certificate and is eligible to qualify for a range of fantastic reading rewards available at a range of fundraising milestone levels. There is also an incentive program for school group registrations.

In 2007, children registered for the MS Read-a-thon also had the opportunity to create their own webpage through the MS Read-a-thon site. Donations could be made to the MS Read-a-thon directly via these webpages.

Children are encouraged to register via the MS Read-a-thon website or to collect a registration form from their local or school library. More detailed information can be found at the MS Read-a-thon website or by phoning the State/Territory office on 1300 677 323.

MS Australia is recognised throughout Australia for their significant contribution to ongoing multiple sclerosis research programs and the improvement in quality of life for those living with MS.

Reference: MS Australia, MS Read-a-thon

Related article: Australian Charity Events