b'MS Focus Activities2020 National MS Education and Awareness MonthBeing Visible is Focus of Awareness MonthAnnual events went on despite coronavirusMSFocushelpedthoseintheMScommunity Heresatasteofwhatwe,andourparticipants,tobevisibleinMarch.Withthesupportofour learned.sponsorsfor2020sNationalMSEducation March 3: LouisvilleandAwarenessMonthGenentech,EMD presented by Cherie Binns, RN, MCSNSerono,Mylan,SanofiGenzyme,Biogen, TherstprogramtokickoeducationandBristol-MyersSquibb,JanssenNeuroscience, awarenessmonthstartedbytalkingaboutandNovartiswetravelledacrossthecountry, livingyourbestlifewithMS.CherieBinns,ahostingseveralliveevents.Wealsopresented MScertiednurse,focusedonhowlifestyleinformativenationalteleconferences.We changesaectedherMSandtalkedaboutthedistributedthousandsofMSAwarenessKits variouschangesthatwemightmaketoimprovedesignedtoencouragethoseaectedbyMS physical,mentalandspiritualhealthwhiletoshowtheirstrengthasacommunity. livingwithachronicillness.ThosepotentialTherearesomanywaystobevisible.Oneof changesincludediet(freshwholefoodswiththemostimportantinvolvesyoursurroundings. noaddedsugar,preservatives,dyes,etc.),ex-Eachindividualgetstodecidehowvisible ercise,goodsleep,tendingyourspirit,help-theymaketheirMSbasedonthecontextof ing others, avoiding or quitting smoking.theirlives.Thenthereisadaptinglifetomeet Additionallyshespokeabouthowtogetmoreonesabilities.Finally,lifestylechangescan out of your doctor visits and adding yourhaveaneectbyimprovingphysical,mental, voicetoresearchthroughiConquerMS.andspiritualhealthwhilelivingwithMS. March 10: OrlandoWhile many of our programs were presented by Betty Gibson, patientpre-empted bythenationaloutbreakof and MS advocate.coronavirus,somewereheldintheearlypart BettyGibson,alongtimefriendofMSFocus,ofthemonth.Theprogramsprovidedtips, spokeaboutherentirejourneylivingwithinformation,andadvicehelpyoubevisible. multiplesclerosis,fromdiagnosistoretirement.Manyoftheseliveprogramswillbemade ThepersonalpresentationgaveeachpersonavailableonourYouTubechannelthisspring. livingwithMSintheaudiencestrengthtomsfocusmagazine.org 24'