Louth Woman the face of MS Ireland’s new Cinema Ad Campaign

MS Ireland has announced their program for World MS Day on May 30, under the theme of 'Diagnosis.' This global event aims to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and provide a platform for individuals affected by MS to share their unique diagnosis stories.

Louth person with MS, Christina McDonald is one of the faces of MS Ireland World MS Day Campaign.

“I was diagnosed with MS in 2016 after a major relapse that left me with paralysis on the left side of my body and involuntary body movements. I was misdiagnosed when I was 19 so it all made sense when I was finally diagnosed after years of strange symptoms,” Christina Said.

“What does my MS look like? There's no such thing. MS is such an unpredictable disease and is unique to each person. No two people with MS look the same. The MS community is so supportive and I find this helps massively when you're living with an unpredictable disease where every day is different.

“I love to practice mindfulness to help with my anxiety and living with a chronic illness. I practice meditation on a daily basis. It really helps me on my bad days when I'm struggling with pain, cognitive problems, fatigue and speech issues. 

“I have attended respite in the MS Care Centre in Dublin. They have respite weeks for younger people with MS. It was the most amazing week of my life. I met with others who are on their own MS journey and it was great to chat to them and do activities with them. We got much needed rest and we made friends for life.

“It's not easy living with MS but by being surrounded by others living with the same condition it really helps to feel that sense of unity. We got to engage in plenty of activities and got to learn more about MS and how to manage our daily lives. I am a normal person who loves reading, walking, music, being with family and friends and MS is just part of my life but doesn't define who I am or what I am capable of in life”. 

Ava Battles, CEO of MS Ireland, stated, “World MS Day is a powerful reminder of the journey faced by over 10,000 people living with MS in Ireland. This year's theme, 'diagnosis', underscores a critical and deeply emotional milestone for many.

“We will be launching a powerful new information campaign on cinema screens across Ireland, bringing vital awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS) to a wider audience. MS Ireland and Novartis have partnered to launch this nationwide initiative, featuring a compelling thirty second advert designed to highlight the journey to diagnosis for people living with MS”.

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The campaign will run for six weeks starting on World MS Day, reaching audiences in major cinema chains including Odeon, IMC, and Omniplex, as well as independent cinemas, covering a total of 83 locations nationwide. The advert offers a portrayal of the everyday realities of living with MS, aiming to promote understanding and connection.

Other Events  

• Information Event: Webinar Panel Discussions with people with MS discussing their MS diagnosis journey 
• Dip for Diagnosis Campaign: Encouraging people to take a dip in water all over Ireland to symbolise the 10,000 people living with MS in Ireland.
• Lighting of Heritage Sites: Illuminating sites across Ireland in red to show solidarity with the MS community.
• Launch new podcast “Living with MS”: MS Ireland will be launching our new podcast on World Ms Day with Shirley Keane O'Brien who is a new member of the MS and Me blog team 
• Regional Activities throughout Ireland: There will be numerous events happening across the country to mark World MS Day with our nationwide branch network.