MS Awareness Week marked in Scottish Parliament

April 26, 2019 at 11:18 am

Stenness man Allan Jamieson (right), who was diagnosed with MS in 2016, with Orkney MSP Liam McArthur, at a special reception marking MS Awareness Week held in Scottish Parliament this week.

This year’s Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week has been marked in Scottish Parliament this week, with MS Society Scotland raising the profile of the important role research plays in the lives of those affected by the condition.

MS affects more than 11,000 people in Scotland and can cause problems with how people walk, move, see, think and feel. But the MS Society is driving research into more, and better, treatments.

The charity currently funds 10 research projects in Scotland with the studies receiving over £3.56million over their lifetimes

MSPs from across the country — including Orkney MSP Liam McArthur — attended a reception on Wednesday evening at Holyrood to hear from some of the leading names in MS research and people living with the condition.

Morna Simpkins, director of MS Society Scotland, said: “This MS Awareness Week we are highlighting the importance of MS research.

“For more than 11,000 people in Scotland, living with MS is a daily reality. This is why the MS Society is driving cutting-edge research into more — and better treatments to ultimately stop MS.

“By contributing and joining a global group of fundraisers people can help us find new treatments for people living with the often painful and exhausting condition.”

Mr McArthur, who also took part in a debate marking MS Awareness Week yesterday, said: “Orkney has the highest incidence of MS anywhere in the world. No-one knows why, and no-one has yet found a cure.

“However, it is exciting to see the world-leading research taking place in Scotland looking into treatments that can help people manage their condition. In time, hopefully, this will lead to a cure.”

“Providing opportunities for those in the MS community in Orkney to get together, share experiences and enjoy companionship, is extremely important. That is why it is so good to see how active the MS Society Orkney and others involved in the local partnership have been, not only during MS Awareness Week but all year round.

MS is an unpredictable condition that is different for everyone. It affects how a person thinks, feels and moves. For support and information, please contact the helpline on 0808 800 8000.

MS Awareness Week runs from April 22 to 28.