MS Awareness Week
21 - 27 May 2011
Open Door - May 2011 pages 14-15
MS Awareness Week gives us a real opportunity to help people understand what it means to have MS.
How can I help raise awareness of MS?
Set up an information stand or hold an information event
Put up a poster
Give a talk
Write to your local newspaper
Get networking
You could set up an information stand at work, in your local library, your GP's surgery or anywhere that you think might get people's attention. We can provide you with materials and information to display.
Display the enclosed poster to help get information to the people that need it
Give a talk about your experience of MS at a school, at work, to local clubs and groups such as the Women's Institute, or even to friends and family to help them understand the condition better. We can provide you with a DVD to explain the work the MS Trust carries out to support people with MS.
Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. The local press are always looking for good letters to print, and the Letters to the Editor is a mustread section. You could share your MS story, let readers know how great your MS nurse is, or just spread some facts about MS and the help the MS Trust has to offer.
Why not use Facebook and Twitter to help raise awareness of MS? You could post facts about MS or turn your profile photo blue for the week to show your support. And don't forget to join the MS Trust's pages on Facebook and Twitter
Rehabilitation Sister Angela Parker and staff at Mold Community Hospital raised awareness of MS over several years and in 2010 they were able to raise a staggering £662.52!
Angela said "I think that is a remarkable amount from a community hospital. We surpassed all my expectations; the enthusiasm from the whole of the hospital was second to none."
Activities included a Wii challenge, a cake stall, a waxing challenge and a guess the weight of the cake and jar of sweets competition.
Angela told us, "It was wonderful to see the whole hospital and the community taking part, with staff wearing the MS Trust t-shirts all week. The bringing together of all those participating and the feeling of 'doing something good' was an experience not to miss."
MS Awareness Week events
This year the theme is Be Bold in Blue! with a number of activities taking place that you can use to raise awareness of MS. You can also raise money for the MS Trust to help us to continue providing our vital services for people affected by multiple sclerosis.
Secret Art Show: Sunday 22 May
Bag a mini-masterpiece for only £45! Pieces have been contributed by people ranging from well known international artists and celebrities, right through to aspiring students. Choose your artwork from our online gallery from 22 May and find out if you have hit the jackpot
Photo competition: Monday 23 May
Be Bold in Blue in our photo competition. Send us photos of you, your friends and family being Bold in Blue and you could be in with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes. You can submit your photos from Monday 23 May, so get snapping right away!
Work and MS chatroom
Tuesday 24 May 2011, 10am to 7pm
What does the Equality Act mean for me? I'm being made redundant - is it because I have MS? Should I tell my boss about my diagnosis?
If you have questions about work, visit the MS Trust chatroom and talk to professionals with expertise in employment issues or share thoughts and experiences with others in a similar situation.
If you are unable to make it to the chatroom on the day, email your questions or comments in advance
Share your story: Wednesday 25 May
The new My Story webpages are devoted to personal stories of living with MS. Everyone's story is different and they show all aspects of life with MS, good, bad and everything in between. Some people are newly diagnosed, others have been living with MS for a long time and these are their personal reflections. Thank you to all those people who have already shared their story.
This is also a place for you to share YOUR story of MS. We welcome contributions from anyone affected by MS - people with MS, partners, parents, children, carers and health professionals working with people with MS. Submit your story to My Story.
Focus on work: Thursday 26 May
One place where MS is not always well understood is the workplace. This is why the MS Trust is using the week to highlight work and MS.
On Thursday 26 May, our website will feature people who have found innovative ways to manage the changes brought about by MS.
Be Bold in Blue: Friday 27 May
Take part in our Be Bold in Blue fundraising day where you can do anything from holding a blue themed dress down day or party to selling blue iced cakes. Our Be Bold in Blue fundraising pack is full of blue ideas for you to get involved.
- For full details of all these events and more, visit the MS Awareness Week website
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Disclaimer
Open Door articles are reproduced as published. They are not updated to take account of subsequent developments. Use appropriate caution in acting on the information in any article.