Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Second Annual MS Leaders of Hope Awards to Recognize Resolve and Innovation in People Living With MS

Second Annual MS Leaders of Hope Awards to Recognize Resolve and Innovation in People Living With MS

Published 05-16-05

Submitted by Biogen

NEW YORK, CAMBRIDGE, MA and DUBLIN, IRELAND - The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), MSWorld(R), Biogen Idec and Elan Corporation, plc announced today the start of the second annual MS Leaders of Hope awards, a program designed to recognize people with MS and their family and friends who have responded to the daily challenges of the disease in ways that uniquely inspire others.

The online program, which begins today, will recognize the most inspiring entries in each of seven different categories. The winner in each category will receive $1,000, as well as a trip for two to the National MS Society's National Conference to be held this year in Atlanta, Georgia, November 9 - 11. Winners will be presented with their awards at the conference and profiled on www.msleadersofhope.com.

This year, the MS Leaders of Hope awards program will introduce a new category for young people between the ages of five and 17. Also for the first time, Canadian residents will be eligible to enter. It is expected that the number of entries will exceed the more than 2,000 submitted last year.

"The outstanding response to last year's MS Leaders of Hope program encouraged us to expand this initiative to enable more individuals to share their creative ideas and personal stories. As a result, we hope to inform an even greater number of individuals both in the MS community and the public at large about versatile and imaginative ways individuals impacted with MS improve their lives and the lives of others," said Joyce Nelson, president and chief executive officer of the National MS Society.

Last year, more than 20,000 votes were cast for 18 finalists over a three-week online voting period. The winning stories and solutions, posted on www.msleadersofhope.com, demonstrated the creativity and spirit of the MS community through innovative programs such as fitMS, a workout routine that helps restore balance and strength; Memory Scrapbooks, a program developed to retain precious memories; and a lesson plan designed to help a sixth grade teacher use her MS as a teaching tool for her students.

"We are pleased to be involved with the MS Leaders of Hope awards again and look forward to recognizing some exceptional individuals later this year. For nearly a decade Biogen Idec has worked closely with the MS community, and we have been touched by the determination and courage of people living with this difficult disease. Through support services and our ongoing research and development efforts, we continue to work to provide new hope for people living with MS," said James C. Mullen, chief executive officer of Biogen Idec.

"Last year's MS Leaders of Hope program exemplified how important it is for patients to look at solutions to daily challenges. As a patient, I realize that we are on the front line seeking ways to improve the quality of our lives everyday. This year's event is made even better by the inclusion of our Canadian friends and a new youth category. It's this spirit of patients helping patients that makes a difference for all of us," said Kathleen Wilson, MA, MFA, president and founder of MSWorld, Inc.

"Elan is proud to support the MS Leaders of Hope, a program that recognizes individuals who have inspired others through their own courageous ways of managing MS. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of people living with MS and their loved ones," said Kelly Martin, president and chief executive officer of Elan.

Beginning today, individuals interested in participating in the program can visit www.msleadersofhope.com and either enter their own idea or send a customized e-mail to someone else who they believe should be a candidate because of their creative and innovative approaches to coping with MS. This year's categories include:

  • Youth

  • Mobility

  • Relationship

  • Time Management

  • Employment/Workplace

  • Memory

  • Caregiving

    The entry period will end on July 31, 2005, at which point a select panel, comprised of people with MS representing the National MS Society, MSWorld, Biogen Idec and Elan, will select three finalists in each award category. Once the panel has made its selections, all finalists will have their story and creative solution posted at www.msleadersofhope.com, where visitors to the site will be able to vote within each award category. This online voting process will occur between September 12 and October 20, 2005, with winners to be announced on November 8, 2005.

    Multiple Sclerosis

    Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that, according to the National MS Society, affects approximately 400,000 people in the United States and approximately 2.5 million people worldwide. It is a disease of young adults, mostly women, with onset typically between 20 and 50 years of age. Each hour someone is newly diagnosed. MS symptoms may include vision problems, loss of balance, numbness, difficulty walking and even complete paralysis.

    About The National MS Society

    The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, founded in 1946, supports more MS research, offers more services to people with MS, provides more professional education programs, and advances more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.

    About Biogen Idec

    Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB) creates new standards of care in oncology, neurology and immunology. As a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel therapies, Biogen Idec transforms scientific discoveries into advances in human healthcare. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit www.biogenidec.com.

    About Elan

    Elan Corporation (NYSE: ELN), plc is a neuroscience-based biotechnology company. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families by dedicating ourselves to bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet medical needs that continue to exist around the world. Elan shares trade on the New York, London and Dublin Stock Exchanges. For additional information about the company, please visit www.elan.com.

    About MSWorld

    Inspired by Christopher Reeve nine years ago, MSWorld began with a single chat room and has evolved into a comprehensive on-line self-help site for everyone coping with MS. All of the staff at MSWorld are diagnosed with MS and volunteer their time and talents to help others. MSWorld is committed to helping people attain an unparalleled level of independence by providing a safe place on-line to meet for support and to gather information. "Our Motto at MSWorld is Wellness is a State of Mind. When you are well within your mind your life has its greatest potential," Kathleen Wilson MA, MFA, President & Founder, www.msworld.org.

    Contacts:
    National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    Arney Rosenblat, 212-476-0436
    or
    MSWorld, Inc.
    Kathleen Wilson, 541-687-5221
    www.msworld.org
    or
    Biogen Idec
    Amy Brockelman, 617-914-6524
    or
    Elan Corporation, plc
    Brian McGlynn, 212-407-5740

  • Biogen Logo

    Biogen

    Biogen

    Founded in 1978, Biogen is a leading global biotechnology company that has pioneered multiple breakthrough innovations including a broad portfolio of medicines to treat multiple sclerosis, the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, and two co-developed treatments to address a defining pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Biogen is advancing a pipeline of potential novel therapies across neurology, neuropsychiatry, specialized immunology and rare diseases and remains acutely focused on its purpose of serving humanity through science while advancing a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world.

    More from Biogen

    Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox