Connect on World MS Day – May 30th, 2020

World MS Day will take place in two days time on Saturday 30th May, 2020.  The campaign for the next three years (2020-2022) is called “MS Connections”, which “is all about building community connection, self-connection and connections to quality care“.  View their official campaign video below.

As we have often said, the themes of community and connection are central to the work that we undertake at MStranslate.  In fact, one of the key reasons our foundations are so deeply embedded in social media is not only because it enhances the accessibility of the content we create, but these platforms also provide an environment where people facing the challenges of multiple sclerosis can unite, ask questions, share experiences and mitigate the isolation they may otherwise feel.  Importantly, this is just not restricted to people living with the disease itself, but we can also connect, inform and support the families, carers, researchers and organisations that all make up the broader MS community internationally.

Obviously, due to the current coronavirus pandemic, the nature of many World MS Day events have had to change in 2020.  However, in some ways, the shift towards online activities this year reiterates the important role the internet plays in helping break down barriers and build the connections outlined above.

Should you wish to participate in an online event this Saturday, we have put together a list of those of which we are aware.  If you know of an event not included, please comment below or share it underneath the Facebook or Twitter posts linked to this article.

MStranslate

Our co-founder and chief science communicator, Brett Drummond, is in the process of planning something special to mark the day, so stay tuned to our Facebook page and other social channels throughout Saturday.  If you have not yet joined our Facebook community, you can do so by clicking here.  Liking and following our page will ensure you receive notifications when both Facebook Live and Premiere events occur.

MS Australia – National

To recognise World MS Day, Australian Prime Minister, The Hon. Scott Morrison, who has a personal connection to multiple sclerosis, shared the below message.

This year, MS Australia has established a “Connections Hub”, which “will allow people in Australia and across the world to upload and share their tips for self-care“.  Comedian and member of the MS community, Tim Ferguson, officially launched this initiative and explained its importance in the below video.  To visit the hub itself, please click here.

Following the success of our recent Facebook Premiere event on Strategies for Managing Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic, we’re excited to see that MS Australia have organised their own Mental Health discussion with Dr Sally Shaw, taking place at 3:00pm (AEST) on Saturday.  Having experienced Sally’s wonderful insights and advice first-hand, we would encourage everyone to tune in to that conversation.  Visit the MS Australia Facebook page to learn more by clicking here.

MS Australia – State Organisations

In parallel, each of MS Australia’s state affiliates are running their own programs of Facebook Live events and webinars to recognise the day.  The full list of planned activities is shown in the below poster.  To visit each organisation’s Facebook page, simply click each of the following links – MS Limited (VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS), MS Queensland, MS SA & NT and MS WA.

Internationally

At 2:00pm (Central European Time (CET)), the official World MS Day Facebook and YouTube accounts will be streaming a “Tune in for MS” Concert, that will include a performance by the Global MS Choir.  If your timezone won’t allow you to watch live, full recordings will remain on these pages for later viewing.

Check out what other major MS organisations have planned across the world by visiting their respective Facebook pages at the below links.

• MS International Federation (MSIF)
• European MS Platform (EMSP)
• National MS Society (USA)
• MS Society UK
• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
• Multiple Sclerosis South Africa
• Shift.ms
• Multiple Sclerosis Auckland

What are you doing?

If you’re doing something special to recognise World MS Day, we would love to hear about it!  Comment below or share your plans on any of our social media channels.