First MS organisation in Latin America joins the Progressive MS Alliance

Associação Brasileira de Esclerose Múltipla (ABEM) in Brazil is the first MS organisation in Latin America to become a member of the Alliance.

ABEM’s membership is an exciting step for the global MS movement, demonstrating the growing commitment around the world to finding an answer and ending progressive MS.

Elzita Ribeiro, President of ABEM, said:

‘It is with great satisfaction that ABEM has taken the step to join this global research collaboration on progressive MS. We want to contribute to the research and results that will have a transformative impact on the lives of people living with progressive MS. We are certain that becoming a member of the Progressive MS Alliance will be a watershed moment in our work.’

Peer Baneke, Chief Executive Officer of MS International Federation (MSIF), said:

“We are delighted to welcome ABEM to the Alliance – the first MS organisation in Latin America to become a member of this fantastic collaboration.

“We encourage all MSIF members to join the Alliance’s efforts, whether through fundraising support or other activities.”

18 MSIF members are now part of the Alliance, directly contributing funds towards research that is accelerating new treatments for progressive MS. If you would like to get involved, contact us to see how you can join the global effort and become a member of the Alliance.

The Alliance was established in 2012 by six founding members: MSIF, and the MS societies of Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA, who made a joint commitment to speed up the development of treatment for progressive MS by removing scientific and technology barriers.

MSIF and its member organisations play a key role in this Alliance which aims to accelerate solutions for people living with progressive forms of MS. MSIF, MS organisations, researchers, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies, trusts and foundations and people affected by progressive MS from around the world rally the global community to raise the profile, highlight the unmet needs of people living with progressive MS and find solutions. The Alliance’s goal to address the unmet needs of people with progressive MS includes strategies to deliver new treatments as well as to enhance wellbeing.

In May, Scleroseforeningen in Denmark – also a member of the Alliance – hosted the Alliance’s annual scientific meeting in Copenhagen. Attendees received progress updates about the impressive work of three research networks that the Alliance is funding, along with learning about the new initiatives being developed by dedicated Alliance teams. Inspiration was provided by guests who spoke about the challenges of other diseases – Lupus and Alzheimer’s disease – and there was much discussion about the future work of the Alliance.

Find out more about progress made by the Alliance over the last year here.