MS Speaks

Oceans of Hope For People With MS

In celebration of last month’s World MS Day and as part of its ongoing mission to support MS patients globally, Biogen Idec announced that it has joined the Sailing Sclerosis Foundation’s (SSF) Oceans of Hope project as principal sponsor and official partner. This multi-year, global campaign is designed to use sailing as a means to educate and empower the MS community, changing perceptions of what it means to live with the disease and demonstrating the benefits of an active lifestyle.

The Oceans of Hope project was pioneered by Dr. Mikkel Anthonisen, Founder of SSF and an MS specialist at Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet. Dr. Anthonisen and several other crew members, including some living with MS, will sail around the world, building strong bonds with the global MS community.

“We are proud to be a part of the Oceans of Hope project, which fits perfectly with our more than three decade commitment to supporting the MS community through innovative science and patient programs,” commented David Allsop, senior vice president, Europe and Canada for Biogen Idec. “Treatment of MS needs to be holistic — incorporating the right therapies with community programs and resources. Through its message of empowerment, we believe that Oceans of Hope can benefit thousands of patients around the world.”

The campaign kicked off May 28 in Copenhagen, Denmark with the official naming of the boat, and will officially launch from Copenhagen on June 15, after which the boat will stop in multiple harbors in Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. Each port day will be celebrated with an interactive event, giving people living with MS the opportunity to learn to sail and participate as crew members.

“We are delighted to partner with Biogen Idec. Oceans of Hope aims to change perceptions of MS by showing what is possible when people with a chronic disease are empowered to conquer their individual challenges,” says Dr. Anthonisen. “As a physician, I see that each person who has MS is unique and needs access to different resources to treat their individual disease. The voyage will also carry this year’s World MS Day theme of access across the globe, building stronger bonds across the global MS and sailing communities.”

For more information about Oceans of Hope and SSF, where the boat will stop, or how to participate in the program, visit:

http://www.sailingsclerosis.com/

The vessel’s voyage can be followed via SSF social media either via Twitter @sailsclerosis, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OceansofHope, and Instagram at OceansofHope.

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Sources:

Biogen Idec
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
MedScape News
Sailing Sclerosis Foundation