Imagine a world without Multiple Sclerosis. That’s the aim of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Australia whose work to treat, prevent and hopefully cure this disease never stops.

Almost 27,000 Australians are living with MS – and three in four of those are women.

MS affects more young people than any other acquired chronic neurological disease and every case is different.

Australia’s MS not-for-profit organisation empowers researchers to seek sustained and systemic policy change via advocacy, and acts as the champion for Australia’s community of people affected by MS.

It is the largest Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to funding, coordinating, educating and advocating for MS research as part of the worldwide effort to solve MS.

So far, it has injected more than $47 million into MS research and funded more than 327 MS research grants.

The society’s advocacy efforts have helped 15 treatments be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making them more affordable and accessible for people with MS.

In 2006, there were only two treatments available.

MS is a result of damage to the myelin – a protective sheath around nerve fibres of the central nervous system.

When myelin is damaged this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body.

MS has many symptoms, which can be variable and unpredictable. No two people will experience exactly the same symptoms and these symptoms can be a one-off occurrence, can come and go or change in severity over time.

MS symptoms can be experienced in different parts of the body, depending on which part of the brain, optic nerve or spinal cord is affected. Some symptoms of MS are invisible, meaning people can’t visibly see that someone is experiencing a symptom.

These can include:

• Tremors: Tremor is an involuntary and uncontrolled trembling or shaking movement. About one third of people living with MS will experience tremor during the course of the disease.
• Sexual issues: Issues to do with sexual function and sexuality are common in the general population, but research shows that, at some stage, sexual problems affect more than half of people living with MS. For many people with MS, there can be several contributing factors, not just MS itself. Slightly more men living with MS are affected than women, as with the general population. Starting a conversation about problems with sexual function and sexuality can be scary and overwhelming. However, the benefit that can be gained from sharing the problem with your healthcare professional and seeking the right help, can work wonders for both you and your relationships.
• Bladder and bowel issues: Many people with MS experience some form of bladder or bowel issues at some stage. Continence refers to the ability to control bladder or bowel function, and incontinence is the loss of this control. Incontinence is a common symptom for people with MS – although the severity and longevity vary from person to person. For some people this may be short-term with a relapse, and for others the problems can be more long-term.
• Dizziness and vertigo: Dizziness and vertigo can be common symptoms of MS. They can be both related and unrelated to MS and require careful assessment by your neurologist or GP, to determine the best way to manage and treat episodes.
• Anxiety: Anxiety is a common symptom for people living with MS. It’s also one of the most common mental health conditions for Australians, with or without MS, with up to one-third of women and one-fifth of men experiencing anxiety. Anxiety in MS can happen at any stage, but is common to see after diagnosis, with a relapse, with disease progression or with changes to treatment. About half of people living with MS will experience some form of anxiety at some time.
• Visual disturbances: Visual disturbances are very common for people living with More than half of people with MS will experience at least one issue with vision at some stage. Identifying this and seeking early treatment is key. With the right advice and support, visual disturbances can be minimised or managed effectively to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

The average age of diagnosis is between 20 and 40 and while the exact causes or a cure has not been found, research is relentless.

Which is where the MS Society comes in.

The Society really believes it can find ways to prevent and cure MS – Not only eradicating new diagnoses but enabling symptoms to be treated for those living with MS.

It’s ultimate, singular goal is to enable a world without MS.

Latest research is offering hope – MS Australia-supported researcher, Associate Professor Anthony Don, has investigated whether naturally occurring S1P in our bodies is important for protection against demyelination and is essential for myelin repair after demyelination.

Other new research, funded by MS Australia, has shown how UV light traps immune cells in the lymph nodes, similar to the action of some MS therapies.

Perhaps one of the most promising research areas is the results of a study on early clinical trials in autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) that involved aggressive chemotherapy regimens.

This has evolved in recent years to involve chemotherapy regimens that are safer and better tolerated but still effective.

This study followed more than 500 people in a single centre for up to five years post-AHSCT treatment to help provide better-informed judgement on the risks and role of AHSCT, as well as assist clinicians with the selection of people who will benefit most from AHSCT.

Findings from the study revealed that participants with inflammatory relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) were significantly more responsive to AHSCT than participants with neurodegenerative secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

The society is a respected, expert, trusted national voice on MS to governments and media, and a respected supporter of MS medical research in Australia.

But it could not be able to do what it does without the help of its MS member organisations and the public and communities.

With a collective dedication to funding and progressing vital MS research and advocacy, the society and its members can together enhance and enrich our mutual work and help bring a louder voice and dynamism to the MS cause.

For progressive MS, however, there are limited treatment options.

To directly address this, MS Australia has joined with many global MS research organisations to establish the International Progressive MS Alliance.

The Alliance is focused on understanding progressive MS and accelerating the discovery of solutions to end progressive MS.

The International Progressive MS Alliance is coordinated by a group of five managing member organisations (including MS Australia) together with the MS International Federation.

MS Australia has been improving the lives of people living with or affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly 50 years.

In 1972, following years of discussion about the need for an organisation to drive awareness, research and support for people living with MS, the state MS organisations formed the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia.

Since then it has grown throughout the nation with a society represented in almost every state.

On November 25, the winners of the 2021 PRIME Awards will be announced in Sydney and MS Australia is in the running!

These awards recognise and celebrate excellence in Australian healthcare communications and the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry.

MS Australia is a finalist in the NGO of the Year category, along with fellow charities Ovarian Cancer Australia and the Macular Disease Foundation Australia.