2026 Campaign Highlights

World MS Day 2026 was incredible! 160 countries, or territories took part in the final year of the My MS Diagnosis campaign. Together, we advocated for early and accurate diagnosis for everyone living with MS. Here are some of this year’s highlights.

Advocacy

Activities

MS Research

Lighting up the World

MS Awareness and Training

Challenges

Making Headlines

Advocacy

Global

Ahead of World MS Day, the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation attended the World Health Assembly in Geneva to advocate for MS as a global health priority. Watch this video message from MSIF CEO Dr Lydia E Makaroff outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. 

India

The MS Society of India (MSSI) hosting a national policy dialogue in Delhi with parliamentarians, healthcare professionals, disability advocates and people living with MS to shape invisible disability policy. The event resulted in a landmark 10-point Declaration calling for earlier diagnosis, improved access to treatment, gender-sensitive care and the creation of a National Mission on Invisible Disabilities.

Georgia

World MS Day was recognised by Tbilisi City Hall with a public statement of solidarity for people living with MS and the illumination of city landmarks. The city also celebrated the continued expansion of its MS medicines and research programme, providing fully funded access to essential medications and diagnostic tests.

Sweden

Neuroförbundet organised a Parliamentary seminar titled Time to take MS seriously, bringing together politicians, healthcare professionals, researchers and MS organisations to discuss MS care. The event highlighted the importance of early diagnosis, rehabilitation and equal access to care throughout the country.

Puerto Rico

The House of Representatives and the Senate of Puerto Rico joined the commemoration of World Multiple Sclerosis Day by wearing orange wristbands and pens as a symbol of solidarity. The Community Organisation of MS and Cancer (COMSC) rallied local government leaders across the island to take part in the MS heart challenge.  

Singapore

The MS Society of Singapore (MSSS) hosted a World MS Day 2026 community event focused on Navigating MS Together attended by the Ministry of State. The event featured a series of interactive booths to demonstrate MS challenges, a live panel discussion and storytelling activities.

Romania

The Romanian Association of Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases (APAN) marked World MS Day with its 9th National Conference, bringing together people living with MS, healthcare professionals, policymakers and advocates to strengthen dialogue on improving MS care. Through expert discussions, patient storytelling and community events, the organisation placed lived experience at the heart of conversations about healthcare and policy.

Poland

The Polskie Towarzystwo Stwardnienia Rozsianego (PTSR) organised a Parliamentary meeting about MS bringing policymakers, neurologists and people living with MS to discuss progress, ongoing challenges and the future of MS care in Poland. The Society also launched the “1000 Faces of Multiple Sclerosis” exhibition in the Polish Parliament, sharing real stories and raising awareness among decision-makers about life with MS.

Activities

Algeria

The MS Algerian Union (MSAU) organised a ‘month of orange’ full of awareness activities, community gatherings and support for people living with MS. The organisation took the My MS Diagnosis campaigns to the streets with Billboards, street banners, information stalls in metro stations and bus rallies to make MS visible!  

Ireland

MS Ireland celebrated World MS Day with events across the country, from wellness mornings and information sessions to community meet-ups, vintage car shows and even a charity skydive.

Sri Lanka

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of Lanka celebrated World MS Day with community gatherings in Colombo and Kandy, bringing people affected by MS together for guest speakers, music and food.

Nepal

The MS Society of Nepal organised an MS awareness walkathon with over 400 participants, including people affected by MS, healthcare workers and supporters. The rally took to the streets to raise MS awareness and stand in solidarity with the MS community.

Dominican Republic
Renacer organised a vibrant community gathering to share stories, raise awareness and strengthening connections, while celebrating 20 years of RENACER’s work in the Dominican Republic.

China

DUOSHEN brought the MS community together in both Beijing and Guangzhou for World MS Day, creating spaces for learning, connection and hope. People affected by MS, NMOSD and MOGAD joined neurologists to share diagnosis experiences, hear expert advice, and take part in interactive workshops that bridged medical expertise with lived experience.

United Arab Emirates

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) launched a nationwide awareness campaign across the UAE, bringing MS conversations into healthcare facilities, workplaces and community spaces. Activities included diagnosis resources, MS webinars and an awareness initiative in café’s across the UAE to reduce MS Stigma.

Spain

AEDEM-COCEMFE and its 44 member associations marked World MS Day with a national programme of awareness, information and advocacy activities. Through community events, media outreach and fundraising activities, the organisation highlighted the importance of early detection, and coordinated care for people living with MS. We loved the commitment to the MS Heart Challenge!

Colombia
The Asociación de Lucha contra la Esclerosis Múltiple (ALEM) marked World MS Day with a series of awareness, education and community activities throughout May. The programme included workshops for patients and caregivers, seminars on humanising MS care, and a digital campaign inviting people to share their diagnosis experiences.

Lithuania

The Lithuanian MS Union celebrated World MS Day at the MS Therapy centre in Aldona Droseikienė. There were presentations from about sleep and MS, changes in cognitive functions, and adapting to manage daily challenges. Later the community enjoyed team games and creative challenges bringing laughter and shared reflections.  

South Korea

The Korean MS community celebrated World MS Day with a vibrant day of education and creativity. There were patient stories, expert talks, and wellness activities.

Costa Rica
ASOCOEM marked World MS Day through its ’31 Days, 31 Stories’ campaign, sharing the experiences of people living with MS and caregivers throughout the community.

Uruguay

EMUR launched a poster maker initiative to make invisible MS symptoms visible. Over 700 people affected by MS used the campaign’s online photo frame tool to share their stories and help make invisible symptoms more visible across Uruguay

Japan

The Japan MS Society marked World MS Day with Yoga For All, an inclusive online event promoting movement, wellbeing and MS awareness.

Global

The World MS Day poster maker was transformed into a global research initiative to better understand MS diagnosis experiences worldwide. People with MS were invited to create a diagnosis poster and contribute to MS research about diagnostic barriers and timelines. Thousands took part, generating valuable insights that will be analysed with the aim to produce a global report and scientific publications to strengthen awareness and advocacy.

Guadeloupe

To mark World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2026, the Guadeloupe Regional Health Observatory, published a key figures about the increase in MS cases throughout territory.

Africa

The first African Committee for Research and Treatment in MS (AFRICTRIMS) conference took place in Ghana with its Scientific Day held on World MS Day. The My MS Diagnosis theme resonated deeply with the discussions throughout AFRICTRIMS, highlighting diagnostic challenges in Africa and the urgent need for improved awareness and access to care.

Global

MS organisations from Australia, Canada, Italy, USA and UK and MSIF reaffirmed a shared commitment to a world with no new cases of MS. On World MS Day international collaborators announced their commitment to advance MS prevention and ultra early detection under the Nice Declaration, providing the first globally coordinated strategy to prevent MS.

Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Bolji Dani Association in Mostar marked World MS Day with a series of awareness and research activities focused on improving MS understanding. The programme included a public survey on MS awareness, academic research on mobility and rehabilitation, and a meeting with healthcare professionals to improve multidisciplinary care and support for people living with MS.

Global

The online course MS Diagnosis and Symptoms for World MS Day returned to improve understanding of MS Diagnosis. The course engaged 2492 participants from more than 130 countries. With over half of all enrolments coming from healthcare professionals, the course proved to be a valuable educational tool for the medical community. It was developed by Menzies Institute for Medical Research in collaboration with MS International Federation and with support from MS Australia and MS Plus.

Kenya
The Multiple Sclerosis Kenya Foundation (MSKF) partnered with Kenyatta University with a World MS Day event focused on placing MS higher on the national health agenda. The event brought people living with MS, caregivers, medical experts, and academic researchers together for an important dialogue about MS in Kenya and across the globe.

Honduras
Honduran MS community brought together people living with MS, neurologists and medical students together at Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital to raise awareness of MS. The FEMA event helped equip future healthcare professionals with a better understanding of MS and dignified care.

Australia

MS Australia created an innovative resource to support people newly diagnosed with MS amid national MS specialist nurse care shortages. Back on Track is a practical audio and video series developed by expert MS Nurses exploring the challenges that come to the surface in the first weeks, months and years of living with MS. The educational resource offers practical support and advice for people living with MS.

Spain
As part of its World MS Day campaign, Esclerosis Múltiple España (EME) developed and distributed a Digital MS Diagnosis Toolkit to medical centres and societies across Spain to raise awareness of MS symptoms and improve understanding of MS amongst healthcare professionals.

Iraq

Al-Hayat Association for MS organised a World MS Day event about early diagnosis, treatment and care. The programme brought healthcare professionals and people affected by MS together to share knowledge on symptoms, early detection and new therapeutic approaches.

Yemen

The Yemeni association supporting people with MS marked World MS Day by strengthening awareness of early MS symptoms among ophthalmologists. The initiative focused on improving recognition of visual and neurological signs of MS, highlighting the important role eye specialists can play in earlier diagnosis and timely referral.

Romania

The Bucharest Multiple Sclerosis Association (ASMB) marked World MS Day with a seminar on managing MS with treatments, complementary therapies and rehabilitation. The programme combined expert-led workshops, physiotherapy sessions and shared experiences to strengthen understanding of holistic MS care.

Kosovo
The Kosovo Neurological Society marked the 10th anniversary of World MS Day activities in Kosovo through its 2026 Spring Conference focused on advances in MS care, the latest diagnostic criteria and the use of biomarkers.

Portugal
SPEM (Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Society) launched the ‘Sou Capaz’(I Am Capable) webinar series as part of its World MS Day programme, creating a space for people living with MS to build confidence, share experiences and access practical support on key topics.

Egypt

MS Care Egypt organised a World MS Day event with the Egyptian ministry of health. It was attended by young health professionals who were able to learn more about diagnosing MS in lectured by eminent neurologists from the country.

Tunisia
The Tunisian MS Association (ATSEP) organised a World MS Day event bringing together people living with MS, families and leading neurologists for a day of learning, discussion and support. Expert talks covered the latest advances in MS care, rehabilitation and treatment.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Multiple Sclerosis Society partnered with the Hong Kong Neuro-Muscular Disease Association to deliver an educational health talk and healing workshop for World MS Day. Participants learned more about Smouldering MS and took part in a calligraphy session promoting mindfulness.

Lebanon
ALSEP (Association of Lebanese Friends of People with Multiple Sclerosis) brought the MS community together for a live streamed event. People living with MS, healthcare professionals, family members and advocates shared diagnosis experiences, discussed mental health and community support, and celebrated resilience through personal stories and the launch of an original awareness song.

Global

The May 50K is virtual fitness challenge where you can walk, roll, or run 50km during the month of May to raise vital funds for MS. Together, participants across the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and beyond raised an incredible £1,609,836.58!  

Iran

The Iran MS Society organised a community cycling event, motorbike rally and musical gathering. Participants wore orange scarves around their necks whilst gathering in support of the MS community.  

Greece

The Greek MS Society (GMSS) organised a 3km run along the Thessaloniki waterfront. Local runners joined people affected by MS to cross the finish line in support of people living with MS.

Namibia

Multiple Sclerosis in Namibia organised a family fun run and help raise awareness and support for people living with MS. It was a morning dedicated to movement, community, and impact.

South Africa

MS South Africa (MSSA) launched the Move Strong May fundraiser, moving together to make a difference and fund vital MS support programmes. Participants could take part by running, swimming

One by one, landmarks around the world glowed orange for World MS Day 2026, transforming familiar skylines into symbols of hope. From the Croatian National Theatre to the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark and el Gobierno de Tucumán in Argentina. Government buildings, theatres and public spaces across Chile, Australia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Lithuania and beyond joined the movement. In Italy, more than 100 cities illuminated monuments, public buildings and symbolic landmarks in red to shine a light on people living with MS. These powerful displays helped spark conversations and put MS in the spotlight.

World MS Day made headlines in Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras, Belgium, Luxembourg, and beyond! From national television and newspapers to government press conferences, organisations around the world used the media to amplify the voices of people living with MS and call for earlier diagnosis, better care and greater public understanding.

North Republic of Macedonia

The National Association of Persons with MS held a press conference bringing together people living with MS, healthcare professionals and government representatives to highlight major progress in MS care. Announcements included expanded access to high-efficacy therapies, the launch of decentralised biological treatment in three regional centres, increased investment in MS medicines, and plans to improve access to MRI diagnostics.

Argentina

Esclerosis Multiple Argentina (EMA) launched a national media campaign, securing TV, radio and newspaper coverage. The focus of their press activities was to highlight the need for better access to diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for people with MS across the country.

Germany
The Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft, Bundesverband (DMSG) launched a nationwide radio campaign for World MS Day, reaching more than 60 million people through interviews and broadcasts on over 300 radio stations. People living with MS including many public figures shared their diagnosis stories and highlighted the support, services and opportunities that help people with MS live life to the full under the motto ‘Now More Than Ever’

Cyprus

The Cyprus Multiple Sclerosis Association marked World MS Day with a national press conference attended by representatives from the Ministries of Health, Transport and Social Welfare, alongside a public awareness walk in Limassol, helping bring MS into the national conversation

This is just a snapshot of the fantastic events that took place. Thank you for all your support for World MS Day 2026!