NEW YORK, May 27 (UPI) -- Multiple Sclerosis societies in 54 countries have planned events to honor the first-ever Multiple Sclerosis Day, a U.S. organization said Wednesday.
The U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society said in a news release it will take part in Wednesday's initial MS Day by helping organize some of the more than 160 honorary events scheduled to take place worldwide.
The MS Day events were organized to promote both awareness and international collaboration regarding multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease prevalent worldwide.
"World MS Day is so important because it reinforces that MS is a global disease, which demands global awareness, a global movement and global action," U.S. National MS Society President Joyce Nelson said.
"There must also be quality and affordable healthcare to ensure that all people with MS can lead a life of possibility, dignity, and fulfillment," she added.
For its part in MS Day, the U.S. sclerosis organization will send e-mails to more than 850,000 individuals, urging them to contact the U.S. Congress and push for healthcare changes.
The U.S. group said it is also working with similar multiple sclerosis societies in Cuba and India on an educational partnership. Details of the partnership were not reported.
