MS Ireland
Informing, Supporting and Caring for the MS Community
MS Ireland helps researchers with their projects by offering advice, data and access to our MS community. We encourage people with MS to get involved in research that is ethical, appropriately organised by a recognised institution and sanctioned by that research authority.
The projects listed here are for information purposes only. If you choose to get involved in any project you do so at your own discretion. Please read the information provided carefully and make contact with the individual researchers if you have questions
Check out our health professionals section for news and more information.
If you would like help with your research, contact Aoife Kirwan on aoifek@ms-society.ie or call (01) 6781600.
A brief overview of the fascinating history of Multiple Sclerosis, from the first known case dating back to the 14th century
Issue 5 is out now! MS Research is a bi-annual research eZine. In each edition we will be sharing the latest updates from scientific and social MS research, from here in Ireland and internationally. In this issue Research event reports Stem cells Vitamin D Registries Dean Medal Kiss Goodbye to MS Research Ball Mindfulness International Progressive MS Alliance And so much more….
MS Ireland and Novartis publish collection of abstracts from ongoing MS research in Ireland On 30th May, to mark World MS Day, MS Ireland and Novartis published a booklet with a selection of abstracts (research summaries) from ongoing MS research projects in Ireland. Topics covered include physiotherapy, falls prevention, cannabis and MS, myelin repair and occupational therapy. MS Ireland would like to thank all the researchers who submitted abstracts to the booklet. The booklet can be downloaded here
‘Making Ireland the Best Place to do Multiple Sclerosis Research’ Report Sets Out Next Steps for the Improved Access to Treatments and Novel Therapeutics To mark World MS Day on 30 May 2018, MS Ireland, supported by Novartis, will launch a new report which is intended to help create an MS research landscape that will put Ireland at the forefront of MS research, innovation and therapeutic application.[i] The report aims to support researchers and provide people with MS and the public with a better understanding of the research process and ongoing research. Some of the recommendations include the establishment of an MS Research Community, improved data and information sharing, greater involvement of people living with MS, potential funding models, and improved dissemination of research findings. The community will help overcome obstacles to research such as gathering samples, establishing a biobank and a patient register. The report defines a number of key asks as follows: Creation of a Facebook Workplace platform where researchers can contact each other, share information and seek opportunities for collaboration; Establishment of a Public Patient Involvement (PPI) network of people with MS who researchers can contact for assistance with designing studies and grant applications; Raising awareness with researchers that MS Ireland is available to partner on funding applications; Seek opportunities with academia and industry to establish an MS registry; Increasing state investment in medical research, including increasing funding for the Medical Research Charities Group and the Health Research Board Joint Funding Scheme for medical research charities; Establishment of an MS patient registry and the development of a national policy framework and infrastructure for the development and maintenance of patient registries; Prioritising implementation of The Health Information & Patient Safety Bill and The Human Tissue Bill. “Given the prevalence of MS here, Ireland should be leading the way in MS research. The report launched today gives us a blueprint of what needs to be done,” says Ava Battles, CEO of MS Ireland. “As a first step, we want to establish an MS research community collective to bolster Ireland’s current research strengths to obtain more funding and improve research visibility. While the top priorities in MS research are currently being addressed, this could be done better if the MS community addressed them as a collective.” Dr Claire McCoy, RCSI, said, “Research offers people living with MS real hope for improvement both in their treatment but also in their quality of life. I am delighted to support MS Ireland in speaking at their public meeting that will help bring people up to date with progress that is being made. The report also lays out a clear pathway that will help to overcome some of the issues that have been faced and I would urge people working in the treatment of MS to get involved as the recommendations are rolled out.” Commenting on the launch of the report, Loretto Callaghan, General Manager & Country President, Novartis Ireland said, “We are committed to working with MS Ireland to help raise awareness on the importance of research. Research plays a major role in progress so understanding the barriers that exist is the first step in devising a plan that will help to overcome these issues in the future. We believe that Ireland can become a leader in MS research and look forward to collaborating further with MS Ireland to deliver the recommendations of the ‘Making Ireland the Best Place to do Multiple Sclerosis Research’ report.” This report was compiled following a meeting with a mix of stakeholders interested in MS research in Ireland, including patients, doctors, scientists and nurses and was facilitated by Novartis Ireland in November 2017.
MS Research Explored Please join us on World MS Day Wednesday, 30th May 2018 for a research information event in Tercentenary Hall, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Building (TBSI), Pearse Street, Dublin 2 @ 6.00pm - 8pm Agenda/Speakers - Launch of MS Research Report - How Clinical Research is Bringing Us Closer to Understanding MS: Professor Orla Hardiman, Trinity College Dublin - The Patient’s Voice – Bringing Us Closer to Research: Joan Jordan, EUPATI Graduate, European Patients’ Academy - Bringing Us Closer to Research in Ireland: Dr Claire McCoy, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Can't make it to the lecture? Don't worry - the presentations will be streamed live on the day of the event, you can access the link below on Wednesday, 30th May at 6pm https://webcastireland.com/w/live-broadcasts/ originally published 1st May 2018
Kiss Goodbye to MS for research into Multiple Sclerosis and vital services Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, with the support of TV presenter Lisa Cannon and two young women living with MS, Rosie McCormack and Sara-Jane Tracy, is calling on people to help Kiss Goodbye to MS raising funds for MS research and essential services. Throughout the month of May, supporters are asked to ‘go red’ and to Wear, Dare and Share: to wear red or hold a ‘red day’, dare to get sponsored for an MS Ireland sky dive, and share with friends and family to spread the word. For more information visit www.kissgoodbyetoms.ie Kiss Goodbye to MS is about raising awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and supporting MS Research as well as funding vital services that reduce the impact of MS including physiotherapy, counselling and newly diagnosed seminars. MS Ireland will hold the first MS Research Ball on Saturday, May 26th 2018 as well as a Red Lab Coat Day in research laboratories around the country, reinforcing the research message for Kiss Goodbye to MS. TV presenter Lisa Cannon is proudly supporting the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign: "I'm delighted to be part of this important cause to raise funds for MS research and services, to help people living with MS. Three times more women than men are diagnosed with MS, with most being diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Please go red this May and wear, dare and share to show your support." Kiss Goodbye to MS is helping to increase the number of countries fundraising for research. In 2017, 8 countries took part raising more than € 1 million. In 2018 12 countries are taking part with the aim to raise more than €1.2 million to fund research and services . Ava Battles, Chief Executive, MS Ireland comments: "While each country embarks on their own unique Kiss Goodbye to MS journey, the global MS community is more collaborative than anyone has seen before. MS Ireland is delighted to be involved in launching this important campaign for the third year running in Ireland to help raise funds for MS research and essential services for more than 9,000 people with Multiple Sclerosis. It's an important campaign for people and family members affected by MS. The campaign is also, significantly about hope, enabling and empowering people with MS to live the life of their choice to their fullest potential.” Rosie McCormack, 27, and Sara-Jane Tracy, 31, both living with MS are part of a squad of MS ambassadors to the campaign. They are among more than 9,000 people living with MS, facing the challenge MS every day. Help Kiss Goodbye to MS WEAR Raise funds and awareness by wearing something red or hold a red day event at work or in the community. Put on your favourite red lipstick, pucker up and share a kiss on your social media platforms using the hashtag #KissGoodbyeToMS. Please text KISS to 50300 to donate €4 and nominate your friends and family to take part. If you don’t fancy wearing red lipstick, any red item of clothing or accessory will do! DARE Dare yourself or someone else to do something out of your comfort zone and get sponsored for it. This year we’re daring people to do the MS skydive! But sky dives aren’t for everyone so please feel free to do a different dare! www.kissgoodbyetoms.ie/upcoming-events/ SHARE Share the message with friends and family to spread the word.
Do you dare to take on our fire walk for Kiss Goodbye to MS on September 15th in Dublin?
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