FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Canadians share their ‘Image
of MS ’ as part of an inspirational global campaign
Photo exhibit challenges common misperceptions about multiple sclerosis
Ottawa, ON, May 8, 2007 – Three Canadians share their stories of
hope with the world as part of The Image of MS, an international photo
exhibit and campaign coming to Canada this week. The Image of MS program
challenges common misperceptions about multiple sclerosis (MS) by celebrating
ordinary people with MS living inspirational lives and encourages people
with symptoms of MS to seek medical advice and treatment options as early
as possible.
MS is a chronic and sometimes disabling disease that attacks the central
nervous system. According to a recent worldwide survey, almost 60 per
cent of Canadian respondents indicated they knew someone with MS, yet
90 per cent admitted knowing little about the disease. In fact, nearly
50 per cent of respondents incorrectly believe that most people with MS
are either paralyzed or bound to a wheelchair and 54 per cent said one
of their biggest fears about MS is that it would prevent them from living
active lives.
To help educate Canadians, the MS Society of Canada and Bayer HealthCare
are bringing The Image of MS campaign and exhibit to Canada as part of
a worldwide tour. The launch of the exhibit, photographed by world renowned
photographer Joyce Tenneson, will take place in Ottawa.
“Through my involvement in The Image of MS program, I hope to show
others who have been diagnosed with MS that you can still experience
everything that life has to offer if you take control of this
disease rather than
letting it control you,” said Fred Steinhaus of Niagara Falls, Ontario.
“MS typically progresses over time, but early diagnosis and treatment
may help slow disease progression, and manage symptoms. With early detection
and treatment, many people with relapsing forms of MS can experience fewer
symptoms of the disease and continue to lead active lifestyles for longer
periods of time,” says Dr. Mark Freedman, Professor of Medicine
(Neurology) at the University of Ottawa and Director of the Multiple
Sclerosis Research Unit at The Ottawa Hospital.
Symptoms of MS
The cause of MS is unknown, but it is thought to be an autoimmune
disease where the body attacks its own nervous system, causing
irreparable damage. Symptoms vary from person-to-person and
can be unpredictable. They may include fatigue, blurred vision, weakness
of one or
more limb,
numbness and tingling, stiffness, dizziness, slurred speech,
and loss of bladder control. People with MS do not necessarily
have all of the
symptoms of the disease, nor do they experience them constantly.
These episodes can last from 24 hours to a number of weeks,
then diminish or disappear.
A selection of photographs and more information about the Image of MS
program is available online at www.mspathways.ca/imageofms/index.html.
For more information about multiple sclerosis, contact the MS Society
of Canada at 1-800-268-7582 or visit www.mssociety.ca.
About the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Founded in 1948, the MS Society has a membership of 28,000, with
seven regional divisions and nearly 120 chapters. The MS
Society provides services for people with MS, family members and caregivers.
The MS Society
also offers a unique support network for children and teenagers
with MS and their parents. The MS Society raises funds to
support
research and services almost entirely through individual and
corporate donations
and fundraising events across the country.
About Bayer HealthCare
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s
leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical
products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer
HealthCare generated
sales amounting to some 9.4 billion euros and employed 33,800
people worldwide in 2005.
The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health,
Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals
businesses. Pharmaceuticals now has three business units: Hematology/Cardiology,
Oncology
and Primary Care.
Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that
will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products
enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating
diseases.
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For further information please contact:
Ethan Pigott / Alia Hassan
Cohn & Wolfe
416-924-5700 ext. 4059 / 4055
ethan_pigott@ca.cohnwolfe.com /
alia_hassan@ca.cohnwolfe.com
Alison Bing
Bayer Inc.
416-240-5298
alison.bing.b@bayer.com
Stewart Wong
MS Society of Canada
416-967-3025
stewart.wong@mssociety.ca
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