On 4 and 5 May the volunteers of Aism (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association) will be in Italian squares to distribute herb kitin exchange for a small donation that will help implement assistance services for people with multiple sclerosis and related pathologies, as well as support scientific research.
What is multiple sclerosis
Chronic, unpredictable and disabling, multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most serious diseases of the central nervous system. MS affects women twice as often as men and 50% of people with MS are young, under the age of 40. Suffice it to say that 10% of diagnoses are made before the age of 18. In short, it is the first cause of neurological disability in young adults after trauma: in Italy there are 137 thousand people affected, 3,600 new cases every year (1 every 3 hours). Among the pathologies related to MS there are neuromyelitis optic (nmo), rare conditions (1,500-2,000 cases in Italy), which have a pattern of needs and health and social care interventions similar to MS.
Multiple sclerosis in children: treat first to treat better by Anna Lisa Bonfranceschi 28 March 2024
The scent of solidarity
From thyme to lemon thyme, from oregano to rosemary, through marjoram and sage, Aism’s aromatic herbs will be available in the squares on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May: two plants in exchange for a donation of 12 euros. It is also possible to book your own pack of aromatic herbs by contacting the provincial section of your city, the list of which can be consulted on the website, or by directly calling the Aism provincial section of your area.
Counteracting cognitive fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis
Inside the Aism aromatic herb kits offered by volunteers in the main Italian squares there will be an information postcard with a QR Code through which to discover precious advice and tasty ideas on how to use aromatic herbs, not only in the kitchen, thanks to several friends of Aism. Francesca Romana Barberini @francescaromanabarberini), Food Ambassador and radio-television presenter, for example, will create a sweet aromatic recipe for Aism. Many other characters will support aromatic herbs through the creation of original and exclusive tips – delicious themed recipes – including Luca Pappagallo (@casapappagallo), Federica Carucci (@unafamiliaincucina), Red Apple Diet (@dietamelarossa).
In support of the campaign, there is also the Aism solidarity number 45512, to support scientific research. The donation amounts will be 2 euros from personal WindTre, TIM, Vodafone, Iliad, PosteMobile, CoopVoce, Tiscali mobile phones; 5 or 10 euros from calls from TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Fastweb, Tiscali and Geny landlines, 5 euros from calls from TWT, Convergenze and PosteMobile landlines.
Neuromyelitis optica, associations give support to sufferers by Simone Valesini 14 March 2024
The projects financed with the 5xmille…
It is precisely gestures of solidarity such as donations and the donation of the 5×1000 that allow Aism to also concretely support scientific research. Through its foundation (Fism), 5 million euros have been made available for 2024 to finance projects aimed at understanding the causes, developing treatments and improving services and quality of life for people with MS, NMOSD (diseases of spectrum of neuromyelitis optica disorders), mogad (diseases associated with anti-mog antibodies) and related pathologies. The call is open and projects can be submitted by 31 May 2024 (further information is available on the Aism website or by writing to [email protected]). The presentation of projects involving multiple research groups is encouraged, including at an international level – a sign of the importance attributed by Fism and Aism to collaboration and interdisciplinarity in research.
Multiple sclerosis, cognitive rehabilitation works in progressive forms by Letizia Gabaglio 26 September 2023
…and those to be financed
In the last 5 years, 192 projects have been started and are currently underway, worth over 57 million euros. Projects that have an impact on people with multiple sclerosis and range from prevention to blocking and rehabilitating brain functions. A portion of the funding is allocated to infrastructures capable of promoting international collaboration. “Of the 125 projects received in the 2023 Call, 88 were assessed as excellent, but only 24 have been funded so far, leaving another 64 projects awaiting funding. This is why it is important to support research – he underlines Mario Alberto Battaglia, president of Fism – Fism supports and directs research towards excellence and innovation, both at a national and international level. We have guided the talent and passion of researchers towards the most promising research sectors. I am proud that thanks to Fism, the main funding body for scientific research on MS in Italy, those who receive a diagnosis of MS know that they can count on concrete answers, drugs and therapies that did not exist before. Thanks to Fism, people desire and aspire to personalized therapies that adapt to their life plan.”