May is always a significant month for the MS community, bringing together thousands of Australians to raise funds for research and celebrate World MS Day through the launch of important new resources for people living with MS.
For World MS Day, MS Australia and MS Nurses Australasia launched ‘Back on Track,’ an innovative new MS Nurse-led video and audio resource designed to empower and guide people living with MS through their unique journey.
This resource was a perfect fit for the World MS Day global campaign focused on the theme ‘My MS Diagnosis: Navigating MS together’.
Developed from the research of Dr Therese Burke, Back on Track is delivered by four experienced MS Nurses who collectively have over 140 years of nursing experience and have cared for over 4,000 people with MS. The resource also drew on a range of lived experience contributions from the MS community.
It focuses particularly on the early stages of diagnosis and coping with the changes that an MS diagnosis can bring. We believe it will be useful for everyone living with MS, providing practical support when people need it most.
We know that not everyone living with MS has access to an MS Nurse, and this resource offers a way to expand access to the expert care, guidance and support that MS Nurses provide.
Alongside ‘Back on Track’, we have also launched the Foundations of MS Nursing Course, an introductory program for new MS nurses, nurses working in related areas, and other healthcare professionals.
The course builds foundational knowledge and skills in MS nursing and covers MS fundamentals, diagnosis, symptom management, therapies, lifestyle factors, brain health, and the role of MS nurses.
This is a self-paced course delivered in a relaxed and informative style. It has been recognised by the IOMSN and MS Nurses Australasia, and is ideal if you work in these areas and would like to learn more about MS.
By strengthening the knowledge and confidence of healthcare professionals, we can help improve the care and support available to people living with MS into the future.
A major highlight of the month was The May50K. Thanks to the incredible efforts of participants, supporters and donors across Australia, more than $1.9 million has been raised for vital MS research.
This is an outstanding achievement. Every dollar raised helps support researchers to better understand MS, improve treatments and ultimately move us closer to a world without MS.
I was pleased to once again take part in The May50K, covering more than 250km and exceeding my fundraising goal. A huge thank you to everyone who supported my campaign and to all participants, supporters and donors who made this year’s May50K possible.
A reminder that donations for The May50K remain open until 30 June
You can contribute to the MS Australia Team here.
