Have You Heard?

MSAA Focuses on MS at All Stages of Life During MS Awareness Month

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and MSAA is pleased to present four full weeks of valuable and inspiring resources, programs, and strategies for all ages!

We are dedicated to spreading awareness, education, and support to individuals, families, and care partners in the MS community, and this month is no different. Our MS Awareness Month initiatives focus on the theme “Life with MS: Different Stages of the Journey” and include a multitude of programs that address MS management in all life stages.

Please join us for the following free MS Awareness Month programs and activities:

Podcast Episodes

“Navigating the Pediatric MS Journey,” featuring Dr. Yolanda Wheeler
“Young Adults Living with MS,” featuring Dr. Nuriel Moghavem

Live Webinars

“Family Planning and Living with MS,” featuring Dr. Rohini Samudralwar
Wednesday, March 22nd from 8:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern
“Healthy Aging with MS,” featuring Dr. Lana Zhovtis Ryerson
Thursday, March 30th from 8:00 – 9:00 PM Eastern

Additional Educational and Social Media Activities

TikTok videos presented by Dr. Yolanda Wheeler
Interactive peer-to-peer posts on My MSAA Community
Blog posts on MSAA’s blog platform, MS Conversations
Digital Art Showcase launch
And so much more!

To learn more about MSAA’s exciting MS Awareness Month events and programs, or to register, please visit MSAA's Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month webpage.

News Update

MSAA Debuts 2023-2024 Art Showcase

Since 2009, MSAA has held an annual Art Showcase providing individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis the opportunity to have their artwork presented among peers in the MS community. We have been honored to witness such beautiful and creative artwork including paintings, drawings, and photography.

It is with great excitement that MSAA celebrates the artistic talents of over 50 individuals in the 2023-2024 Art Showcase! Be sure to stay tuned for our twelve highlighted Artists of the Month throughout the year as well. Check out this year’s digital showcase at mymsaa.org/artshowcase2023.

Which Symptom?

Question: What MS symptom has an affectionate name, but its effects are anything but affectionate?

Click here to see if you're correct.

Ask the Expert

Featuring Barry A. Hendin, MD
MSAA's Chief Medical Officer

Question: In MS, what would cause a very tight and sometimes painful squeezing around the body, or elsewhere, even in the hands or feet?

Answer:

These symptoms typically describe an “MS hug,” and when experiencing it for the first time, it can be both uncomfortable and frightening. It is caused by inflammation or injury to the nerves of the central nervous system, which interrupts nerve impulses and... Read More

MSAA's Ask the Expert series recently received a Silver Award from the 24th Annual Digital Health Awards!

Barry A. Hendin, MD, is a neurologist and director of the Arizona Integrated Neurology MS Center. He is also director of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Banner University Medical Center and clinical professor of neurology at the University of Arizona Medical School.

My MSAA Community - visit HealthUnlocked's online forum for MSAA Community

Now Playing

New Year, Still Me: Turning Simple and Realistic Resolutions into Habits

As we begin the month of March, it’s an ideal time to reflect on resolutions that we may have made earlier in the year and learn new tips and resources to help implement positive lifestyle changes. In this program, Augusto Miravalle, MD, FAAN shares strategies with the MS community that can assist with turning resolutions into healthy habits and routines. To view this video, please click here.

To see our full catalog of free on-demand programs, please access the MSi Video Library.

Thoughts About Giving

MS Awareness Month is a great time to show your support!

While MSAA is grateful for your support year-round, MS Awareness Month is an ideal time to go the extra mile – either donating or engaging yourself or introducing new potential supporters to the organization.

Top 5 ways to make an impact this MS Awareness Month:

Purchase a ticket and attend one of our amazing events: We have two Improving Lives Through Art^® events – a tour on March 14th, and a Paint-Along featuring MSAA Art Showcase participant, Omayra Rivera-Filardi on March 28th. Tickets are also on sale for our Improving Lives Benefit in May with both an in-person event in Philadelphia and a virtual event later in the month.
Register for a free event and commit to fundraising through your circle of friends, family, and EVERYONE YOU KNOW: Registration is open for our Anniversary Challenge events – both a national virtual event, and 5 in-person sites across the country to come together as a community. Fundraising challenges will be launched all month to registered participants, so sign up today. Want to challenge yourself even further? Register for one of our slots at runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend and race with Pixar characters this April at Walt Disney World^®.
Recognize someone you love with a gift made in their honor or memory. MSAA will send an e-card to brighten their day, and your gift can help keep MSAA’s slate of free programs and resources running all year. Want to take it further? Set-up an in-honor of fundraising page and invite others to amplify your gift.
Have an idea for an event? It could be simple like a virtual happy hour with friends via Zoom, or more elaborate like hosting your own event at a community restaurant or even a 5k race or a golf tournament. Whatever you want to do, MSAA can help support through our Do-It-Yourself platform that makes it easy to fundraise any way at any time.
Don’t have time for events? Make a donation to support the work MSAA does – it could be one-time, or commit to a monthly recurring gift to support all year-round. OR, visit one of our shop and support partners and make a purchase that sends a portion back to MSAA’s mission.

However you engage, this MS Awareness Month, we challenge you to tell a friend about the work we do and invite them to follow us on social media, sign up to receive emails, or give to support our mission of Improving Lives Today!