These Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month educational initiatives focus on “Life with MS: Different Stages of the Journey.” 

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) recognizes March as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and is presenting four weeks full of educational resources, programs, and strategies for all ages. The organization is dedicated to spreading awareness, education, and support to individuals, families, and care partners in the MS community, and this month is no different.

These MS Awareness Month initiatives focus on “Life with MS: Different Stages of the Journey” and include a multitude of programs that address MS management in all life stages including pediatric, young adults, family planning, and aging well with MS. MSAA’s digital educational activities throughout the month of March include:

  • “Navigating the Pediatric MS Journey” Podcast Episode: In this podcast episode, Dr Yolanda Wheeler, an assistant professor and nurse researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing, as well as a member of MSAA’s Healthcare Advisory Council and African American Advisory Board, discusses pediatric MS with Elena, a parent of a child with MS. Listen in as they explore how MS affects children and teens in addition to what parents should know and consider when talking to their healthcare providers.
  • “Young Adults Living with MS” Podcast Episode: In this podcast episode, Dr. Nuriel Moghavem, neurologist and MS fellow at Keck School of Medicine at USC in Los Angeles, discusses the importance of learning to live your best life with multiple sclerosis if you are newly diagnosed as a young adult. Dr. Moghavem provides tips on gaining knowledge, maintaining healthy habits, finding a support system, feeling empowered to practice self-advocacy, and adhering to treatment, all of which inspire hope for living well with MS as a young adult.
  • Family Planning and Living with MS” Live Webinar on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Eastern: This webinar presented by Dr. Rohini Samudralwar, an assistant professor of clinical neurology and associate program director of the Neurology Residency at the University of Pennsylvania Penn Medicine, will explore the many concerns of being a parent with MS. This will include discussing when and if to start a family, managing MS symptoms as a parent, planning for caregiver assistance, discussing MS with one’s children, and more.
  • “Healthy Aging with MS” Live Webinar on Thursday, March 30, 2023, from 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM Eastern: This webinar featuring Dr. Lana Zhovtis Ryerson, board-certified neurologist with a special focus in MS currently practicing at Hackensack Meridian Medical Group in New Jersey, will discuss challenges that older individuals with MS may experience, while identifying modifiable risk factors associated with hastened disease progression. Join MSAA as we discuss the role of disease-modifying therapies in older MS patients and explore factors that have been identified to contribute to healthy aging.
  • Improving Lives Through Art Spring Series highlighting art as a form of therapeutic expression and connection. MSAA’s Improving Lives Through Art Spring Series features two fundraising events during March: one virtual art tour on March 14, 2023, and one virtual paint-along, led by an MSAA Art Showcase artist, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
  • MSAA’s digital Art Showcase launch celebrating the beautiful artwork of more than 50 artists diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Be sure to stay tuned for 12 highlighted Artists of the Month throughout the year as well.
  • Posts on MSAA’s MS Conversations blog. Read new posts featuring topics of interest to the MS community.
  • TikTok videos presented weekly as well as other updates on MSAA’s social media channels.

For more information, visit Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.