Asian MS Newsletter Spring Issue, 2012

7/30/2019 Asian MS Newsletter Spring Issue, 2012

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/asian-ms-newsletter-spring-issue-2012 1/13

Page 1 Multiple Sclerosis Society. Registered charity no 1139257/SC041990 Registered as a limited company in England and Wales(07451571)TO DONATE BY TEXT TO ASIAN MS: Send AMSS89 £10 to 70070

Spring Iss ue 2012

Asian MS –

Newsletter

EMERGING THERAPIES – A CLOSER LOOK

*****************************************************************Editor’s Note - Asian MS was very lucky to have Prof.David Baker from the Neuroimmunology team at Bart’s and The London Group give a talk about emerging

therapies at our annual social in November 2011 (see Winter Edition). As a follow-up, he has provided us with a closer insight into what’s happening in the world of MS therapies.

*****************************************************************

The current standard disease-modifying therapies arethe beta interferons and glatiramer acetate. These arenot hugely effective and have to be frequently self-

injected. At the beginning of 2011, we had the reallyexciting prospect of theintroduction of five new oralpills for the treatment of MS,that promised to be more

effective than the current standard therapies. Gilenya

and Moveco were the leaders of the pack and showed

twice the effectiveness on treating relapses compared

with the standard therapies.

Moveco was first to the regulators and was licensed for use in MS in Russia and Australia. This drug was takenfor a week each year over two years. However, someconcerns of cancer risks meant that regulators wantedmore safety information in the USA and Europe. Rather than more studies, the company decided to stop further development and withdraw the drug. They did thisbecause they thought that they would be too far behindthe success of Gilenya. That drug, taken daily, blocks

white blood cells from entering the blood andtherefore the brain, and was approved for use inthe USA and Europe.This has become the firstlicensed oral pill for the treatment of MS. This

was good news, but the price could be a catch.The company has charged so much for the drugthat it was not approved by the National Instituteof Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK. Thishas hindered its progress towards the NHS.Despite some wheeling and dealing, it has stillnot overcome this hurdle. Very recently therehave been some unexpected deaths occurringshortly after taking the drug. The jury is still out

on whether these effects are related to the drugor due to chance, but this could influence if andhow the drug is used in the future. This has puta dent in the progress of oral pills.

More disappointing news is that another of the

pills will fall by the wayside, as Laquinimod was found to be less effective than beta

interferon. Teriflunomide has not fared much

better, but is at least as effective as theinterferons. An application for approval for usein MS is now being sought. It may therefore

have the benefit and thelow side-effect profile of interferons but withadded benefits of beinga pill.




Another pill, currently called BG-12 , has been found to

be twice as effective as the interferons, and so far hasbeen found to be relatively safe. A version of this drughas been used for many years for the treatment of psoriasis and so let us hope that no unexpected side-effects appear. Importantly this drug may have thepotential to have an effect on progression. This has yet

to be formally tested but this is on the way no doubt.

Also, in the not too distant future, Lemtrada will appear

on the scene. This is an antibody which kills white bloodcells and is highly effective at stopping relapsing diseaseand can be over three times as effective as theinterferons. This is given as a short course, like Moveco.Whilst there are some side-effect issues, people takingthis drug over ten years have never had another attack.

Therefore there are significant in-roads in controllingrelapsing MS. A number of other drugs such as

Ocrelizumab are in late stage testing and were much

more effective than interferons in earlier small-scaletrials.

There is also great activity surrounding progressiveMS. Gilenya is currently on trial in primary progressive

MS and another trial with Tysabri, which is very effective

in treating relapses in MS, has been started inprogressive MS. Other late-stage ongoing trials includeOcrelizumab, a B-cell depleting agent, and

Dronabinol , a drug in cannabis.

There are also a number of smaller trials with severalother drugs - too many to mention. There are plans inplace for major studies to treat progressive MSthroughout the UK, but details of this have yet to be

officially announced.

Sativex , which is medical cannabis, has been licensed

for the treatment of spasticity in the UK, although theHospital Trusts are finding it difficult to get this funded.There are a number of other anti-spastic agents such as

slow-release baclofen that may last the night and are

in late stage trials. Fampyra is a new drug that can

improve walking and has just been approved within

Europe. There are other studies ongoing with different

symptom control drugs but they are some wayfrom being prescription drugs. Likewise, it isgoing to be some time before drugs that treatmyelin loss are on the market. However therehave been some significant inroads indiscovering factors that promote repair. This willneed to be tested in trials but one of these,

called anti-LINGO , has been in its first tests inhumans after successful animal studies. Thereare more drugs like this in the pipeline and trialson stem cells are in progress.

So whilst progress is not fast enough, I believethat progress is indeed being made. We aregetting better and better at treating relapses andattention is really being focused on progressive

MS. ~Prof. David Baker ******************************************************Editor’s Note – If you are faced with the decision of which drug to take (if any), it can be a daunting task looking through all the information available in terms of relative risks and benefits. Your neurologist and MS Nurse will be able to advise you on what may be the most suitable therapy for you. However, there

is also a wealth of information available online. Please see the links below:

…...…STOP PRESS……..STOP PRESS……… Since this article was written, NICE has said that

it will recommend that the NHS can prescribe

Gilenya to MS’ers who have continued to relapse

even after being on a first-line drug (beta-

interferon or glatiramer acetate):

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/news/article.jsp?id=5275

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms/treatments-and-therapies/disease-modifying-drugs-dmds

www.mstrust.org.uk/atoz/drugs.jsp

http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseaction/show/pageid/397

http://www.msdecisions.org.uk/







http://www.mstrust.org.uk/atoz/drugs.jsp


















A message from the Editor

Spring has finally sprung! As I write this the

sun is shining and the daffodils have finally

made their “proper” appearance (not covered

in snow, as in February!) It’s also time for the

Spring Issue of Asian MS’s quarterlynewsletter.

The next few months are jam-packed with

MS-related events and there is plenty for you

to get involved in, if you so wish. MS Life in

Manchester promises to be fantastic,

blending lifestyle-, medical- and research-

related talks, information and workshops for

MS’ers and their carers, family and friends.

Asian MS will be holding a workshop onSunday 15th April from 2.45pm to 3.15pm so

please do come and see what we’re about.

We would also like to encourage members

and non-members alike to attend our Annual

Meeting on Saturday 19th May. In an effort to

try to engage people from outside of London,

we have decided to hold the meeting at

Maidenhead Town Hall, Berkshire, thanks to

the kind donation of the facility by the Mayor

of Maidenhead. Running from 12-4pm, this

will be a great chance to meet the committee,

socialise, listen to some great speakers and,

as always, have a bite to eat!

I would also like to encourage everyone to

complete the feedback survey, information for

which is opposite. Asian MS and this

newsletter is for YOU. We would like to knowwhat you would like to see more of and any

ideas you may have to keep this newsletter

fresh and informative.

Enjoy this edition and please

pass it on to anyone who you

think may be interested in our

work. Hopefully see you all

soon in Manchester or

Maidenhead.

CONTENTS

-Emerging therapies – a closer look….p.1-2

-Welcome; Feedback survey ….p.3

-Your views on the new DLA; Lunch & Learn

at Genzyme; MS Society Awards….p.4

-A chance to get involved in surveys,

research and clinical trials…..p.5 -6

-Key dates for your diary….p.7

-Travelling in a wheelchair; Asian MS thanks

Yonex….p.8

-MS-friendly holiday breaks; Bart’s Research

Day….p.9

-General information and literature….p.10

-Latest research and MS in the News….p.11

-Fundraising for Asian MS….p.12

-Useful information and contacts….p.13

FEEDBACK NEEDED!

Asian MS would like to receive your

feedback about our quarterly newsletter. If

you receive an online version of the

newsletter you will automatically be sent a

link for an online survey. We would

appreciate it if you could complete the

survey by Monday 23rd April

2012. If you receive a

hard-copy version of this

newsletter please go to

the following link to

complete the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/88HDQL6 ~The Editor~

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/88HDQL6






A CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED

YOUR VIEWS ON THE NEW DLA

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is to

replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA). From

2013-15 everyone on DLA will be reassessed for

the new benefit.

Now is our chance to shape what the new test will

look like. The Government is currently consulting

on the assessment criteria that will be used for the

new benefit. The MS Society wants to know your

views on how this will work for people with MS.

Find out more and respond to the Government

consultation at: (deadline 30th April)www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/pip.shtml

If you’d like to contribute to the MS Society’s

response, please contact Hayley Jordan at

[email protected] or 020 8438 0753.

********************************************

In February, Asian MSmember, Trishna, spoke at a“Lunch & Learn” event atGenzyme’s offices inOxford. Genzyme is thepharmaceutical firm behindthe MS drugs Alemtuzumab

and Teriflunomide. Theevent aimed to increase theknowledge and awareness

of MS among Genzyme staff. Trishna spoke abouther MS journey, including diagnosis, treatment andmanagement. Speaking alongside her was an MSNurse and a representative from the MS Trust.The event generated a great deal of positivefeedback, with attendees saying that they had

learnt many new things about MS and the way itcan affect people.

MS Society Awards

The MS Society Awards highlight the

achievements of MS’ers, their families

and carers, and the professionals who

make a difference to people living with

MS.

If you know someone that has made a real difference

to the lives of people affected by MS this

year, whether it's a fundraiser, carer or MS

professional, the MS Society wants to know about

them!

The Award Categories are: MS Research of

the Year; MS Employer of the Year; MS

Media Coverage of the Year; MS Volunteer

of the Year; MS Fundraiser of the Year;MS Carer of the Year; MS Young Person of

the Year; MS Professional of the Year; and

MS Inspiration of the Year.

Please note:

You may nominate someone else, or self-

nominate

Nominations from all areas of the MS

community are encouraged

Paid employees of the MS Society cannot enter

but may nominate entries for the MS Society

Awards

Members of staff who have undertaken

volunteer work outside their paid job should

seek advice about eligibility to enter from

Category Champions

Full judging process details can be found atwww.mssociety.org.uk/awards

Independent work that has been funded, but not

undertaken, by the MS Society is eligible for

entry.

You can contact the MS Society Awards team on

01494 671332 or email

[email protected]

Closing date for entries is 20 th April 2012

Lunch & Learn Event at Genzyme

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2012/pip.shtml


mailto:[email protected]


http://www.mssociety.org.uk/awards


mailto:[email protected]?subject=Nomination%20Form










The MS Society needs your help

The hard work put in at a local

level in partnership between

branches, volunteers and staff at the MS Society

has contributed towards protecting 12 specialistnurse, physiotherapy and occupational therapy

posts across the UK and ensured that people with

MS have access to the specialists they need.

In 2012 it is important that there continues to be

active collaboration with decision makers locally,

where MS services are under threat or are being

reviewed, and make sure we seek the best

outcome for people affected by MS. If you hear of

any planned changes to roles or services then

please get in touch with your local Service

Development Officer to discuss.

Clinical Trial for Secondary Progressive MS

Ascend is a Phase III trial for 850 people across15 countries that will look at how effective

natalizumab (Tysabri) is in secondary progressive

MS (SPMS).

The trial aims to test if the drug will halt the

inflammation in the central nervous system that

causes nerve damage and, therefore, slow down

progression of the disease.

To be eligible you must never have had

natalizumab treatment before. Participants will

receive either 300mg of the drug or a placebo via

intravenous infusion every four weeks for 96

weeks.

Other criteria to be eligible includes being between

18 and 58 years old and you must have had adiagnosis of SPMS for a minimum of two years.

You must also have an EDSS score of between 3.0

and 6.5.

There are various UK trial centres, with some of

them currently recruiting (Liverpool, Manchester &

London). The study is forecast to be completed by

December 2014. If you are interested then get in

touch with your neurologist or email:

[email protected]

Carers needed for online questionnaire request

Laura Kelly, a PhD

student is looking to

explore how sharinghealth experiences online

affects people. The research aim is to find how best

to incorporate people’s experiences into health

websites. Therefore, a questionnaire is being

developed asking people about sharing their health

experiences online. Feedback is being sought as to

whether the questions are understandable and

accurately reflect the effects of sharing healthexperiences online for carers of MS patients.

To be eligible, you must care for someone with MS,

be aged over 16 and have internet access (in order

to complete the questionnaire). You must also be a

UK resident.

Participation will take up to 20-25 minutes and

involve answering questions about general views onhealth websites, as well as questions on a specific

health website that will be given.

For more detailed information about participating in

this research please go to:

http://www.publichealth.ox.ac.uk/research/hsru/

ehealthms



http://www.publichealth.ox.ac.uk/research/hsru/ehealthms










TELL YOUR STORY

~Volunteers wanted to share their story

The press office at MS National Centre is

looking for willing volunteers who areinterested in sharing their experiences of MS

with the media.

With MS Week, Carers Week and MS Life

coming soon, and the Welfare Reform Bill

currently going through Parliament, the views

of people with, and affected by, MS are more

important than ever.

Using stories from people affected by MS, theywant to raise awareness of the condition and

the issues and challenges that people face.

In particular they’re looking for people who

can talk about:

MS Life – are you attending MS Life in

Manchester on 14th – 15th April? Have

you benefited from attending before? Do

you live in the North West? If you wantto help raise awareness of the event then

please get in touch.

MS Week – we’re looking for people who

embody the ‘Get Active’ theme. Get in

touch to say how you have Got Active.

Carers Week – do you care for someone

with MS? Or do you have MS and care

for someone else? The theme for this

year’s Carers Week is ‘in sickness and in

health’ and the press office isparticularly interested in hearing from

people who have a health condition

themselves, but is also a carer.

Social care – are you struggling to access

the social care and support you need to

live your life? Share your story.

To contact the press office please email

[email protected]

QoL Tool Trial

LifepsycholQoL is a new tool that has beendeveloped to help people communicate how their quality of life (QoL) is being affected by the longterm conditions(s) they are living with. It has beendeveloped by Innervate Ltd., who is looking to offer

up to 20 people with MS a chance to trial the tooland give their feedback.

LifepsycholQoL is available either as an electronicdial (accessible online) or as a hand-held dial.Initially, the hand-held dial will be tested first, with achance to trial the electronic dial afterwards. Thedial aims to capture important information abouthow your long term condition affects key issues e.g.

relationships, fatigue.

If you would like to test the dial then please contactDr. Neil Bindermann at Innervate Ltd via:[email protected]

***********************************************************

Carers Week 2012: Survey n ow

open

The MS Society is a partner in this year’s CarersWeek: 18 - 24 June 2012.

The theme this year is “In sickness and in health”.What are your experiences of caring? How muchdoes your caring role impact on your health andwellbeing? Are you worried that the Government’scuts will make you shoulder more of theresponsibility? Are you already feeling the effectsof cuts to local services? If so, they’re keen to

hear more. Even if you’re not affected by the cuts,they want to hear about that too!

The nine charities which make up the CarersWeek partnership have opened the annual surveyfor 2012. Go towww.surveymonkey.com/s/carersweek2012 togive your views.





http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/carersweek2012








EVENTS

KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Asian MS Annual Meeting The Asian MS Annual meeting will take place on

Saturday 19th May 2012 at the DesboroughSuite at Maidenhead Town Hall, St Ives Road,Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1RF. It will run from12pm until 4pm. The provisional agenda is12pm-1pm Annual Meeting, 1pm-2pm Speakers(to be confirmed), 2pm-4pm food and social. Wewould like as many people to come to this aspossible – members and non-members arewelcome, although only members will be able to

vote on committee nominations. If you would liketo stand for a committee role, please contact Asian MS. Information will be sent out tomembers so look out for it! The Town Hall is fullyaccessible and is a short distance fromMaidenhead train station, which has goodmainline connections. Please do come and showyour support and have a good time.

Cake Break 2012 The MS Society isencouraging people to participate in its biggest community event of thisyear - Cake Break 2012.Every branch across the UK is being encouraged to take part.

Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott will be the face of

Cake Break 2012. The event launches on Friday 4th May . Online registration starts from 16 th January at www.mssociety.org.uk/cakebreak

You can also register by phone to receive a hard copy of the fundraising pack by contacting MitaVaghji (Community Fundraiser) on 020-84380737 or [email protected]

14th-15 th April 2012 MS Life, Manchester The largest event in

Europe for peopleaffected by MS. It willinclude research talks, workshops, lifestyle events andan exhibition. The theme for MS Life will be “Get Active,” whether it is being physically active, gettinginvolved in your local branch or making a donation. It isabout making a positive difference to your life or thelives of people affected by MS. To book your free placefor MS Life please go to:

www.mssociety.org.uk/mslife

MS WEEK 2012 will be

30th April – 6th May! How will

you help raise awareness?

Asian MS will be present at

MS Life so come and say hello!

We will be holding a workshop

on Sun. 15th April from 2.45pm-

3.15pm. There will also be achance to meet volunteers

and committee members and

take part in some fun

fundraising activities!

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/cakebreak






http://www.mssociety.org.uk/mslife








A GUIDE TO TRAVELLING

SAFELY IN A WHEELCHAIR

Moving into a vehicle safely

Before moving someone into a vehicle it is

important that a lap belt is securely in place to

prevent falls.

Once someone using a wheelchair is in the minibus

ensure that the person and the wheelchair are

safely and correctly secured in the vehicle.

Manufacturers’ guidelines should be followed as

vehicles and wheelchairs can differ.

If someone is able to transfer from their

wheelchair to vehicle seat easily, painlessly and

without assistance they should do so, as this is

safer and more comfortable.

Fitting a wheelchair lap belt correctly

Ensure a correct sitting position (i.e. fully

back in the seat), and that the pelvis is as

upright and symmetrical as possible.

Position the lap belt so that the hip bones

can be felt above the belt.

Adjust the length of the lap belt so that

there is just sufficient room for your hand

to slide between your body and the belt.

Pass the lap belt down between the user

and any side panels on the wheelchair, not

over the armrests. It should fit firmly across

the pelvis, not the abdomen.

Do not allow lap belts to ride up onto the

abdomen where they could cause internal

injury in the event of a collision, or fromwhich the passenger might slide out.

Fitting vehicle sash belts

A sash belt should always remain in contact

with the shoulders of the wheelchair user,

lying snugly across the pelvis and fitting

inside the framework of the wheelchair or

seat.

Fit the shoulder strap(s) comfortably across

the collar bone (not across the throat orneck).

For more information,

please contact the MS

Society’s Branch Health

and Safety Officer, Andy

Grant on:

[email protected] or phone 07827 281

097.

A BIG THANKS TO YONEX

Yonex, a big-name supplier of badminton,

tennis and golf

equipment, has

received formal

thanks from

Asian MS for its

continued

support. The

company has provided various items for

auctioning, including signed memorabilia. Asian MS committee

member Ila Gangotra presented Paul

Jepson (Managing Director, Yonex UK),

Conrad Spry

and Jon

Cooper with a

small thank-

you gift during

the Yonex All

England

Badminton

Championships 2012 at the National

Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Asian MS

relies on the continued support and

generosity of companies such as Yonex,

in order to help raise much-needed

funds.







MS-friendly holiday breaks

THE CALVERT TRUSTFollowing the success of the Calvert Trust’staster activity weekends for people affected byMS in autumn 2011, the team in Kielder,Northumberland, are organising more eventsfor 2012. Between 27th and 30th April, there willbe an MS Adventure weekend being held, at acost of £309 (without care assistance) or £440(with care assistance). These prices includemeals, activities and fully accessibleaccommodation.

For more information and to make a booking,please contact Calvert Trust on 01434 250232

or email enquiries@calvert-

kielder.com. You can also visit their website

at www.calvert-trust.org.uk.

The MS Society’s Short Breaks and Activities(SBA) fund considers grants for people withMS and carers and may be able to contributetowards the cost of your break. Contact theGrants team on 020 8438 0700 or email

[email protected] for details.

MORE ACCOMMODATION

MS Society Northern Ireland hastwo fully accessible chaletsavailable for hire at the SHAREvillage in Lisnaskea. The cost is

£150 per week and includes a SHARE fitnessleisure pass. Bookings are taken on a firstcome, first served basis. To book a holidayplease contact Mark on 028 9080 2802 or [email protected].

Amberwood Holiday LodgeWest Herts Branch has a holiday lodge atShorefield Holiday Village, near Lymington,Hampshire, for people with MS, families andcarers. The chalet has a master bedroom withen-suite shower room, a twin bedroom,bathroom, and lounge/ kitchen area withdouble fold-out sofa bed. A brand new mobilityscooter is also available to use. Bookings canbe made by calling Richard Smith on

07709235729. (Please leave a message if necessary and someone will call you back)

RECENT EVENTS

MS Research Day (January 2012)

The 3rd MS Research Day held by the

Neuroimmunology

Group at The

Royal London

Hospital, in

collaboration with

Shift.ms, was a

great success. A

number of Asian

MS members attended the day and found it

extremely interesting and useful.

The event consisted of formal presentations on

various research topics, lifestyle discussions and

“Digesting Science,” which was a chance for people

to meet and chat to researchers and MS health

professionals. The research topics this year included

Progressive MS

Trials, VitaminD, New

Therapies,

Walking with

Fampyra

(Fampridine),

Inflammation in MS and The Charcot Project.

Meanwhile, lifestyle discussions included

Physiotherapy & Exercise, Current Clinical Trials,Bad Science – Should We Believe What We Read?,

Immune Tolerance, The Neurological Exam and End

Of Life Issues.

Videos of the formal presentations are available

online via the Shift.ms channel on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/shiftdotms





http://www.calvert-trust.org.uk/kielder















General Information

MS Essent ials 19: Muscle spasm s and

st i f fness (Third Edit io n Octo ber 2011)

A new edition of MS Essentials 19 onmuscle stiffness and spasms is nowavailable, containing information on Sativexand how it is prescribed.

Muscle stiffness and spasms are commonMS symptoms, both often described by theterm 'spasticity'. Mild stiffness in the musclescan aid balance and mobility for some, but

more severe stiffness or spasms can betiring, frustrating and, for some, painful. Thisbooklet provides guidance on ways tomanage these difficult symptoms.

If you would like more copies of this title,visit the MS Society’s online shop at

http://shop.mssociety.org.uk or contact the MS Society Information Team on

[email protected] or 020 84380799 (weekdays 9am-4pm).

**************************************

If you would like a copy of the MSSociety’s latest MS booklet, which

has been translated into 12

languages including Urdu, Hindi,Punjabi, Bengali, Gujerati and

Farsi, please contact Saher Usmanion 0208 438 0856 or

[email protected]

***************************************

MS Essentials 04: Tremo r (Fifth

edit io n, December 2011)

A new edition of the booklet about ways of dealing with this difficult-to-manage symptomis now available.

For some people, the tremor is so mild that they’re the only person aware of it. For others,it’s more obvious. For example, it might bedifficult to carry a drink without spilling it, or tohold a pen steady to write.

The booklet looks at physical and

occupational therapy, drug treatments,surgery and things that can help day-to-day.

This is the first of the Essentials series not tocontain a list of references. A list of referencesis available on request, and all cited articlesare available to borrow from the MS Society library (there may be a small charge). Contact the MS Society Information Team.

If you would like copies of any of the titles inthe Essentials series, visit:http: / /shop.mssociety.org.uk or phone 0300 1000 801.

Funding opportunity for people with MS National charity the MS Research and Relief Fund offers grant funding for items includingequipment, aids, adaptations, holidays andrespite care.

The fund can be used either to complementgrants awarded by the MS Society where ashortfall in funding exists, or as a singlefunding opportunity. The registered charity willconsider applications for grants for individualsand for groups.For more information contact the charity’sGrants manager Dave Farham on 01670505829 or [email protected] or visitwww.msresearchandrelief.org; or contact

Julie Gilson, MS Society Grants Manager at020 8438 0950 or [email protected]

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/glossary#Spasticity

http://shop.mssociety.org.uk/








http://www.msresearchandrelief.org/











http://www.mssociety.org.uk/glossary#Spasticity




LATEST RESEARCH & MS IN THE NEWS

Parasitic worms offer hope of cure for multiple sclerosis

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2108228/Parasitic-

worms-offer-hope-cure-multiple-sclerosis.html?ITO=1490

Researchers link MS to different area of brain

http://www.utphysicians.com/11739/researchers-link-ms-

area-

brain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign

=researchers-link-ms-area-brain

Autoinjector Pen for MS Drug OK'd

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/MultipleSclerosi

s/31397

EMA accepts Genzyme's oral teriflunomide MAA for

multiple sclerosis treatment

http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67711&sid

Radiology: fMRI reveals increased activity after rehab for

MS patients

http://www.healthimaging.com/index.php?option=com_arti

cles&view=article&id=32230:radiology-fmri-reveals-

increased-activity-after-rehab-for-ms-patients

NHS warned of 'neurology timebomb'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/17/nhs-

neurological-alliance-warns-timebomb?newsfeed=true

Multiple Sclerosis treatment a

challenge in India?

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/multiple-sclerosis-treatment-a-challenge-in-

india/232154-17.html

Vitamin D could be weapon against

MS

http://www.skynews.com.au/health/a

rticle.aspx?id=721026&vId=

Concert Pharma joins forces on new

MS drug

http://news.bostonherald.com/jobfin

d/news/healthcare/view/20220305co

ncert_pharma_joins_forces_on_new

_ms_drug/srvc=home&position=also

FUNDRAISING FOR ASIAN MS

If you are interested in fundraising for Asian MS, please contact our fundraising

officer, Mukesh Jethwa on [email protected]

We rely on donations to keep going so if you know of someone wanting to raise money for

charity, why not suggest that they fundraise for Asian MS? Please see the following page for

details on how to make a donation and what the money is needed for.

Deadline for the Summer

Edition of the newsletter is

14 th

May 2012. Please send

your stories, links, photos

and news to

[email protected]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2108228/Parasitic-worms-offer-hope-cure-multiple-sclerosis.html?ITO=1490



http://www.utphysicians.com/11739/researchers-link-ms-area-brain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=researchers-link-ms-area-brain





http://www.medpagetoday.com/Neurology/MultipleSclerosis/31397





http://www.healthimaging.com/index.php?option=com_articles&view=article&id=32230:radiology-fmri-reveals-increased-activity-after-rehab-for-ms-patients




http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/17/nhs-neurological-alliance-warns-timebomb?newsfeed=true



http://ibnlive.in.com/news/multiple-sclerosis-treatment-a-challenge-in-india/232154-17.html




http://www.skynews.com.au/health/article.aspx?id=721026&vId


http://news.bostonherald.com/jobfind/news/healthcare/view/20220305concert_pharma_joins_forces_on_new_ms_drug/srvc=home&position=also






































FUNDRAISING FOR ASIAN MS

Where do the funds go?

Asian MS is funded purely bydonations, which areused for variouspurposes. They includegrants for individuals tohelp them attend MS-related events, contributions to researchprojects, and administration costs.

The Myelin Repair Project

One research initiative that has recentlyreceived a £1,000 donation from Asian MS is

the Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair,which is being supported by the MS Society.A first stage of the research programme saw

the identification of a drug that couldpotentially repair myelin, which is damaged in

people with MS. The project is now moving

into a second stage where researchers willundertake pre-clinical research, with the aimof ultimately translating lab findings into a

clinical trial.

Asian MS are proud to announce that they now have the facilities to allow people to make donationsto them in an easier and quicker way.

Donations by credit card via the internet site justgiving.com:www.justgiving.com/AsianMS

How to make donations by text message :

Send a text message to 70070 Remember to include the subject of the text: as AMSS89

and send it with the amount you wish to donate up to a maximum of £10

If you wish to donate £10 your message would read AMSS89 £10 If you wish to donate £5 your message would read AMSS89 £5 and so on.

You may donate with any number from £1-5, and the money will go directly to the MS Society, whichwill transfer the cash generated to Asian MS.

You can also raise funds every time you shop through EasyFundraising:

http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/asianms

We thank you kindly in advance for your support

http://www.justgiving.com/AsianMS









Useful Information

General and Membership Enquiries: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-support/support-groups/asian-ms

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AsiansWithMS

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AsianswithMS

Saher Usmani, MS Society Support Groups Officer (please contact for hard

copies of this newsletter and MS information booklets in different languages):

0208 438 0856 or [email protected]

Asian MS is a national support group for Asians withMS, their carers, friends and family. We seek to increase

awareness and dispel ignorance of MS in the Asian

community, as well as put fun and dignity into the lives

of Asians with MS and their carers. We also raise money

for people affected by MS within the Asian community.

We produce online and printed information in various

languages and offer an interpreting service.

Vinnie Kochhar - Chair

Anisha Gangotra - Social Secretary

Mukesh Jethwa - Fundraising Officer

Abul Kamali - Website Officer

Rani Kaur - Publicity Officer/Support Officer

Shiv Sharma - Treasurer

MS Society Website: http://www.mssociety.org.uk

MS Society Helpl ine: 0808 800 8000

Asian MS JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/AsianMS

MS Regis ter: www.ukmsregister.org

MS Trust (chari ty that prov ides inform at ion about MS):

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/

MS Therapy Centres: http://www.msntc.org.uk/

Shift.ms (an online community for younger MS’ers):

http://www.shift.ms/index.php

MS Research Blog (run by Barts & The London Neuroimmunology Group):

http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com




http://www.mssociety.org.uk/ms-support/support-groups/asian-ms



http://www.facebook.com/AsiansWithMS



http://twitter.com/AsianswithMS






http://www.mssociety.org.uk/






http://www.ukmsregister.org/





http://www.msntc.org.uk/





http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/














Documents

Asian MS Newsletter Spring Issue, 2012