ALCEM becomes supporting organisation

Argentina’s Asociación de Lucha contra la Esclerosis Múltiple (ALCEM) has become MS International Federation’s third supporting organisation.

ALCEM was founded as a civil association in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1998. They applied for membership as they felt that, in a country with an estimated 8,000 people with MS, MSIF’s support could help them achieve their goal of equal opportunities for the MS community.

ALCEM’s volunteers carry out a number of activities. They:

• provide information to the MS community in Argentina through a free quarterly magazine, Participar
• communicate through its website and Facebook group, which has more than 4,500 likes
• train health professionals in areas such as responsible treatment prescription and neurorehabilitation through its national programme
• educate and guide those affected by MS through a series of free workshops on topics varying from self-care to legal advice.

By being a supporting organisation, ALCEM will be able to contribute to MSIF’s strategic direction and benefit from MSIF’s coordinating role in global MS research; fundraising and advocacy as well as guidance, as and when needed.

Having another point of contact in Argentina will provide MSIF with a better understanding of the context in which MS organisations work and a deeper insight into public awareness levels; funding sources and the regulatory environment; treatment and access options and different types and sources of support for people with and affected by MS.

ALCEM will work with EMA, MSIF’s full member organisation in Argentina, to reduce duplication and reach more people with MS in Argentina, setting the standard for cooperation throughout the region.