Painting The Town Orange For Multiple Sclerosis

Painting The Town Orange For Multiple Sclerosis

Over 1500 volunteers will be brightening up New Zealand’s streets with a splash of orange this Friday 5th New Zealanders are diagnosed with MS which is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system. MS is one of the most common neurological conditions in the world and affects women 3 times more than men.

MS is a condition that has a tremendous effect on not only the person diagnosed but also the family, carers and support networks. “Many of the symptoms are unseen and that is often one of the hardest things for people living with MS. How can you explain to someone that even though you look healthy you are living with chronic pain, or the weakness in your arms means you can’t pick up your child?” explained Amanda Keefe, MSNZ National Coordinator. 90% of people with MS are crippled by fatigue which many misunderstand to be tiredness. “Fatigue makes normal daily tasks like running a marathon.”

Recently the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand has been pushing for improved funding for treatments for Relapsing Remitting forms of MS. “New Zealand is very much lagging behind the rest of the western world when it comes to what treatments are available and funded for people with MS” remarked Keefe.

“We are hopeful that new (to New Zealand) treatments will be funded by 1st November and that more people with MS will be able to access treatments before they have a disability”, as is currently the case. Ground breaking research in New Zealand and abroad is also taking place into treatments for Progressive forms of the condition. Currently there are no treatments to manage Progressive forms of MS funded in NZ. “There is currently no known cure or cause for MS so it is our mission to support people affected by MS in managing their condition, supporting research and advocating for better treatments and services in NZ.”

Please show your support for people touched by MS in your local community this Friday and Saturday by donating to street collections or to donate to the National Society visit www.msnz.org.nz.

MSNZ would like to thank Pub Charity for their support for MS Awareness Week helping to fund volunteer and appeal resources.

Together we can create support those living with MS.

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