World Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day takes place on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. This is an opportunity to raise public awareness of the symptoms and consequences of this disease, which affects 120,000 people in France. Official date, blue ribbon and list of events.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Day or WorldMSDay (in English) is fixed Tuesday, May 30, 2023. This is a day of awareness and mobilization around Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune neurological disease which most often occurs between the age of 20 to 40 years old. In France, approximately 120,000 patients suffer from MS and approximately 3,000 new cases occur each year, with women being 3 times more affected than men. It is caused by an inflammatory process generating destruction of myelin (protective sheath of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord) and degeneration of nerve cells, which leads to sequelae that can be permanent, disabling, touching the motor skills, sensitivity, vision, sphincter control or intellectual functions. Date and list of events to participate.
When is World Multiple Sclerosis Day in 2023?
The official date dedicated to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in France and around the world is fixed on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Most cities in France organize their events on this day, but some cities, such as Cannes for example, organize their mobilization day on another day in May (May 6 in this case).
What is the theme for World MS Day?
This year, the theme for World MS Day is “Connections”a term which includes “community connection, connection with oneself and connection to quality care” is explained on the World MS Day official website. This Awareness Day aims to:
→ Tackling social barriers and stigma people with MS who often feel lonely and isolated
→ Build communities that support and care for people with MS
→ Promote self-care and a healthy lifestyle with MS
→ Lobby decision-makers for better services and effective treatment for people with MS
→ Connect people with MS to MS research.
The official hashtag is #MSConnections
What are the events in 2023?
Every year, in several towns in France, local days are organised. For example :
- May 30, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.: a one-hour information live stream on Facebook and YouTube, with people with MS, neurologists and researchers. It will be possible to ask your questions about the disease (Page Arsep Fondation) They will react to the ideas of the general public about the disease, captured during a micro-sidewalk.
- In Cannes (06), the SEP’Avenir Association, its administrators and all the volunteers, organize World Multiple Sclerosis Day (MS Day 2023) Saturday May 6, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Allées de la Liberté). On the program: medical conferences, round tables on accessibility with the participation of Dominique Farrugia, dance performance…
- An artistic competition (painting, photography, illustration…) based on the theme “Connections” and open to all people with MS or affected by this disease. Registration form and more info on the official website WorldMSDay.
Why wear a blue ribbon for MS Day?
Since 2013, the blue ribbon has become, thanks to the UNISEP Federation (Union for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis), the symbol of support for people with multiple sclerosis and their families. Wearing it on May 30 allows you to show your support and demonstrate your commitment to getting people talking about this disease. To order the ribbon, contact the ARSEP Foundation: [email protected] (the ribbon is priced at 2 euros).
When was World Multiple Sclerosis Day created?
World Multiple Sclerosis Day has been created in 2009 by the International MS Federation (MSIF) and its members. Since then, each campaign has been developed annually by the International MS Federation and an international working group made up of representatives from India, Tunisia, Ireland, Argentina, Slovakia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Greece, Australia and the United States.
Sources:
– Ministry of Solidarity, Autonomy and People with Disabilities
– French League against Multiple Sclerosis
– Foundation for Support for Research on Multiple Sclerosis