Global MS Lunch "Kiss Goodbye to MS" in Southbank

Club First Lady Saira Griffin and I attended the MS Global Lunch event in conjunction with World MS Day on Sunday 19th May 2019 at the Belgian Beer Cafe in Southbank hosted by RAGMSA (Rotarian Action Group for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness) - in our own turf!

Picture from right (L-R): Negar Asadian (PhD student from University of Melbourne), Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Amanda Campbell (MS Ambassador)

MS (multiple sclerosis) is a silent illness, that mostly affects young people with the average diagnosis between the ages of 20-40 years, although children as young as 10 years have been diagnosed.. It also affects more women than men with 3/4 of MS sufferers being female. In 2009, the MS International Federation (MSIF) and its members initiated the first World MS Day where it brings the global MS community together to share stories, raise awareness and campaign with and for everyone affected by MS. So in fact this celebration marks the tenth (10th) time that RAGMSA has hosted MS Global Lunch - what a feat.

"Kiss Goodbye to MS" is about raising money to prevent and treat the symptoms of MS, as well as to provide support and services for people with MS. This campaign has raised over $205,700 since 2012 in Australia. With the combination of auction items & donations, RAGMSA was able to raise over $2000 to continue their tireless work and efforts in raising MS awareness throughout Australia and the world to "Kiss Goodbye to MS"- congratulations!

Special mention to Martin & Diana Taurins for inviting us to this great luncheon and we really enjoyed it!