Why I am Doing It

The MS Society was a choice made after Alan, my brother, was recently diagnosed, I asked him to add a few comments about his recent experiences.

Keep up to date at my website Running4MS

"I was diagnosed with relapsing and remitting multiple scleroses (RRMS) in 2010 aged 30, up until this point I had various symptoms that I put down to being over tired / stressed or even in need of going to the gym to build on my fitness.

These symptoms – fatigue – numbness in my hands –weakness –issues with my sight -  balance issues and tripping over my feet – came and went lasting for a few days and had been with me for, now looking back, a few years. It was only when these had progressed to a significant / more regular level, to where I was struggling to get to work, that I went to my GP – perhaps left it too late.

During this investigation period and even getting a private consultation, I suffered what I now know to be a ‘major relapse’ resulting in me being in hospital for 10 days and on a course of steroids with severer mobility issues and very scared not knowing what was happening to me.

After this relapse I was left with longer lasting symptoms primarily with walking balance and fatigue and took a period of time to rebuild strength and confidence.

I was quickly offered / advised to start on a fantastic drug called Tysabri which reduces the likelihood of a relapse by up to 80%; this is the most effective drug currently available for RRMS patients. I still live with symptoms but now with this drug and a more disciplined lifestyle I am starting to find what works for me and becoming more in tune with the condition. 

I am working, going to the gym and going out with friends with minor adjustments and fantastic support including continued unquestioned support / understanding from my employer. 

MS is very much a personal ‘condition’ which affects everyone I have met so far in various ways.  It can be a very isolating, frustrating and even frightening condition certainly in the initial diagnosis stages and unfortunately can change with little notice.

The MS Society is a fantastic resource of support (also offered to friends and families), information on symptoms, working life / employers, diets and fitness and also the latest news on events / research and new drug therapies.  It’s a much needed point of support and reference to all affected by MS making this condition more and more manageable allowing suffers to have ‘normal’ lives.
This resource has directly benefited me and I am thankful for it!
Your support in helping to raise awareness and donating to the MS Society will be greatly beneficial to aid on-going research and support that is greatly needed. 

The advancement in drug therapies in recent years has been staggering but still the root cause of why people are effected are not fully understood, however this and even the potential for a cure reversing symptoms seems to be edging (albeit cautiously) closer."

About The MS Society

All donations will go towards The MS Society the UK’s leading MS charity. Since 1953 they've been providing information and support, funding research and fighting for change.

The MS Society fund research, give grants, campaign for change, provide information and support, invest in MS specialists and lend a listening ear to those who need it.

What is MS?

A substance called myelin protects the nerve fibres in the central nervous system.

In MS, your immune system, which normally helps to fight off infections, mistakes myelin for a foreign body and attacks it.

This damages the myelin and strips it off the nerve fibres, either partially or completely, leaving scars known as lesions or plaques.

Around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. It's normally diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40, and affects almost twice as many women than men. 

Once diagnosed, MS stays with you for life, but treatments and specialists can help you to manage the symptoms.

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms

The UK’s biggest MS charity.

    38,000 members have a say in how we’re run.
    9000 volunteers give a million hours every year.
    350 staff work in all four nations of the UK.
    Over 300 branches support people with MS locally.
    One aim: to beat MS.

More MS Information

Shift.ms is a social network run by its users, where young MSers meet, share experiences and support each other.

'Multiple sclerosis didn't stop me travelling world' BBC

So please dig deep and donate now.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

David Sayce - Digital Marketing Consultant 

www.dsayce.com