Winners of the 2024 MS Heart Challenge
The MS Heart is a symbol of solidarity for everyone affected by MS. This year MSIF ran the MS Heart Challenge, inviting World MS Day supporters to share photos of MS hearts somewhere special. This could be next to a national landmark, a favourite local spot or a significant event. The global MS community took on the challenge with hearts shared from 45 countries on the World MS Day map. Here are some of this year’s winning entries.
Tasfia from Ireland
Tasfia from Ireland has sent her MS Heart straight from the lab! In her entry she shared why she wanted to take part in this year’s MS Heart Challenge:
‘The most difficult part to be diagnosed with MS is the uncertainty and the fear of not knowing what is going to happen. A doctor can tell me what treatment options are CURRENTLY available, but a Scientist can tell me what possibilities the FUTURE holds. Being a science person made it possible for me to quickly grasp many things about this disease. The lab is the place where I can have faith on science, it helps me to believe that with my MS progression; science will also progress to defeat it. That is why I chose my lab as a special spot to show my support for world MS Day.’
The Turkish MS study group
The Turkish MS study group sent MS Hearts from Mardin in Turkey, known as the ‘Cradle of civilisations’ and a cultural hub of the region over thousands of years. What a legendary location to help raise awareness of MS!
Darlene from the United States
Darlene from the US chose a spot that was particularly special to her son Larry who had MS, their log shed. Darlene says:
‘We used to get our firewood from here in the winter! And we would laugh hysterically loading wood in his car!! It is a spot where I see all the loving and funny aspects of our relationship. I love him to the moon and back and this spot is a living reminder of how loved one never truly leave.’
Divya from India
Divya got creative with the challenge, posing with an MS heart graphic from the My MS Diagnosis toolkit. We loved seeing the campaign brand in action at one of Divya’s favourite spots in Siliguri West Bengal. That sunset is beautiful!
Patricia and friends in Spain
This World MS Day Patricia and her friends walked 123kms on the Camino in Spain on a very special journey to Santiago de Compostela ‘to walk for those that can’t’. These brilliant MS Heart photos were taken on the road of this inspiring challenge.
Fernanda from Brazil
Fernanda shared her photo from one of her favourite local spots – the mall! Fernanda says it’s a great place for taking a stroll and eating delicious sushi. Fernanda is a proud member of the Associação Brasileira de Esclerose Múltipla (ABEM).
Sarah from Northern Ireland
When asked to share an MS Heart somewhere special, Sarah from Belfast knew just the place – home sweet home. She says:
‘My home in Belfast…my sanctuary…where I can let all that I hide, that is invisible to others because they choose not to see it, here I can let it shine!’
The Greek MS Society & Ionian University
The Greek MS Society partnered together with Ionian University on World MS Day. This wonderful MS Heart photo is taken from the Acropolis Museum in Athens, with the view of the iconic and ancient Parthenon in the background. The group dressed in orange and shared hearts in support of the global MS community!
Community Organization of MS and Cancer in New York
The Puerto Rican organisations Community Organization of MS and Cancer (COMSC) sent another fabulous photo for the MS Heart challenge with it’s founder Vilmarie Ocasio in Times Square. Vilmarie says:
‘From New York Times Square, the City that never sleeps, I support the thousands of people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Puerto Rico and around the globe. Always keep moving forward, never look back, and know that you are not alone on this journey.’
Thanks COMSC!
Carla in London
Carla chose this special London landmark to share her MS Heart. She explained why Tower Bridge is one of her favourite spot.
‘It makes me happy. Little wins and smiles matter when you are riding the roller coaster that my MS is. I walk there with my sticks there or bus it when I need a pick me up. Victorian design at its finest!’
Roman in Paris
Roman shared his MS Heart from the beautiful streets of Paris, with the majestic Basilique du Sacré Coeur de Montmartre in the distance. Roman says:
‘I am an MS guy, 40 years old who has lived in this district for 10 years. Sometimes it’s hard, but the challenges of life make me feel happy day after day.’
The National Association for MS in the Republic of North Macedonia.
Members of the National Association for MS assembled on this beautiful sunny day to share MS hearts from Skopje. This nature spot was chosen as a place of hope and a reminder that:
‘The horizon of beautiful things is unlimited. It stretches as far as your imagination can reach. It’s where dreams meet reality and the possibilities are endless.’
Olga and family from Mexico
This MS Heart photo was shot from Monterrey Mexico as it is a very special place for Olga’s daughter. She says:
‘My daughter has always loved coming here when she was young and we wanted to represent her on this day because she was recently diagnosed with MS.’
Jennifer and friends from the United States
Jennifer and friends got together to share this group photo in memory of her brother. Jennifer says her was ‘A loving father, friend and uncle to all in this photo. He is missed greatly by all who knew him.’
Stride Support Services from Australia
Stride Support Services from Australia sent wonderful MS Heart photos from many of their members across the Sunshine Coast. We loved all the smiles and hearts from different spots across Palmview.
HANA SEP in Morocco
These MS Heart photos are taken from one of HANA SEP’s World MS Day events this year, an MS seminar attended by more than 100 people in Fes. HANA SEP are one of the incredible MS Organisations supporting the MS Community in Morocco.
A big thank you to everyone who took part in the MS Heart challenge this year and congratulations to all the winners!
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