Latest news

On the SBS Insight program last night (Tuesday, 20 August), the focus of the discussion was how people live with and manage their multiple sclerosis (MS).

MS Australia has released findings of a national research study: Living with Multiple Sclerosis in 2019.

Thanks to the support of our fundraisers who participated in MSWA Ocean Ride and Step Up for MSWA last year, MSWA has been able to purchase several pieces of new equipment for the Neurosciences Unit (NSU) at Graylands Hospital.

Professional Musician Brett Johns, who has been living with MS for nearly two decades, believes music gives him the strength to cope.

Funds raised by participants in the 2018 MSWA Ocean Ride have purchased over $17,000 worth of vital equipment for the Parkinson’s service at Fremantle Hospital.

MSWA will set a new benchmark this year with a record $3.5 million going towards scientific research.

MSWA funded researcher Dr Sarah Rea is working towards a strategy for sporadic cases of MND, a life-limiting neurological condition with no known treatment or cure.

MSWA is proud to fund Professor Samar Aoun’s latest neurological research into the current support systems available for those who have lost a loved one to Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Funds raised by participants in last year’s MSWA Ocean Ride have gone towards purchasing vital equipment to support people living with motor neurone disease (MND).

MSWA Board Member Professor Bill Carroll was this week announced as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to neurological medicine, and to people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as part of the 2019 Queen’s birthday honours.

From 1 June 2019, generic medications may become available for the current MS disease modifying therapies prescribed in Australia.

MSWA funded researcher Dr Lucinda Black has just published her latest research results which look at how consuming unprocessed red meat may reduce the risk of MS.

To acknowledge World MS Day, MSWA will host its annual ‘Hip Hop Yoga’ event – a yoga class for music lovers hosted by the ‘Queen of Hip Hop Yoga’, Kaye Waterhouse of Vital Beat Yoga, on the courtyard of RAC Arena.

International Nurses Day, Sunday May 12, is an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work our MSWA nurses do for people living with all neurological conditions.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Gilenya (fingolimod) for the treatment of children and adolescents 10-17 years old with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

We’re excited to be partnering with West Coast Eagles to support the WA community. Read about the important work that we do and get a chance to be an Eagle for a day!

Following a warning late last year, European neurologists have been cautioned on the use of the MS treatment Lemtrada; while the EMA undertakes their review of side effects in some European patients.

MSWA is proud to continue its commitment to raising awareness of Parkinson’s.

Read how MSWA is supporting Western Australians who have been touched by the condition.

Young people in Western Australia will have greater access to the proven benefits of classical music, thanks to our partnership with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).

Using brain plasticity to repair a damaged brain is the underlying goal of research undertaken by Perron Institute researcher Associate Professor Jenny Rodger.

Can diet affect multiple sclerosis? Dr Lucinda Black, MSWA funded researcher shares her latest research into patterns between the intake of specific foods and nutrients, and whether they contribute to the risk of MS.

MSWA is thrilled to announce our involvement with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for their 2019 season. This partnership recognises a shared commitment to enriching the lives of young people and families through music.

In 2005, Kate Gild was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 33-years-old. She was living in London at the time and home in Perth on holiday visiting family, when she started experiencing nerve pain in her wrist. Kate thought it was Carpal tunnel, but an MRI revealed it was MS.

Read the full announcement here.

Results into an Australian study of the treatment autologous haematopoietic stem cell therapy (AHSCT) were released earlier this week.

A $200,000 grant from MSWA will support research into proteins linked to the progression of motor neurone disease (MND) as well as a ground-breaking national study into the needs of carers and families of people experiencing end-of-life care and bereavement.

As MSWA continues to support people living with all neurological conditions, the need for a more tailored and larger premises has been welcomed by the MSWA community, which benefits from receiving support from over 750 staff within the organisation.

Foresight is a gift worth treasuring because it allows one to know what the future might hold. Andrew Francis often circles this concept when thinking about how different his life could be. From a young age, he knew about a hereditary gene that might, or might not affect his life, and future generations. It wasn’t until 2002 that Andrew got his answer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about the MS medication Lemtrada® (alemtuzumab).

Jessica Allen, an Australian professional cyclist, spends half of the year living in Italy, racing in the Union Cycliste Internationale World Tour across Europe, and the other half competing in Australia. She knows all about what it takes to be a successful cyclist and hopes to win gold for Australia at the next Olympic Games. However, amongst her busy schedule, Jessica always finds time to ride in the annual MSWA Ocean Ride - Powered by Retravision.

Lisa MacLennan was 41 and in the prime of her life. She was married with two young children, working in the disability sector, and two units away from completing a Bachelor of Social Work, when she was struck down by a severe stroke in 2012.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner was Nicolette Murphy’s initial response after recently attending an NDIS information session organised by MSWA at the Clarkson Library. The 48-year old who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010 said the session with MSWA’s NDIS experts was more than she’d expected.

As the National Disability Scheme (NDIS) continues to roll-out across Perth and the South West, MSWA is holding an open day at its centre in Wilson to help people with their NDIS plans and showcase its latest renovations and upgrades.

MAVENCLAD® (cladribine tablets) has been recommended for listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), subject to final approval by the Federal Health Minister.

For the thousands of Western Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS) new treatments offer hope and relief. But for clinicians it’s often challenging to know if a particular treatment is working.

Fatigue and blurred vision were the first signs for Chloe Baker that something wasn’t right. In 2017, the 31-year-old moved home from New Zealand to be with her family and focus on her health. An eye test led to an MRI, and then a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) have announced they have not recommended the listing of MAVENCLAD® (cladribine tablets) for relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

For two years Kent Piercy developed an increasing stiffness and slowness in both arms and a reduced swing in his right arm. Naturally concerned about these changes, Kent saw a neurologist early last year, and at the age of 74 was diagnosed with tremor-dominant idiopathic Parkinson’s.

Fatigue and blurred vision were the first signs for Chloe Baker that something wasn’t right. The 31-year-old moved home from New Zealand to be with her family and focus on her health. An eye test led to an MRI, and then a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

How the brain works has intrigued Associate Professor Jenny Rodger for almost 30 years, with a lot of her work focusing on brain plasticity – the ability of the brain to change throughout someone’s life by rewiring or modifying neural connections.

Pharmaceutical companies Biogen and AbbVie has announced the voluntary worldwide withdrawal for ZINBRYTA ® (daclizumab) for Relapsing multiple sclerosis.

Ocrevus ™ is used in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and this morning, the Federal Government announced the listing of the drug on the PBS.

Legendary Australian track and field Olympian Betty Cuthbert, AM, MBE has been posthumously honoured with a Companion AC in the General Division of the Order of Australia for eminent service to athletics at the national and international level, particularly as a gold medallist at the Melbourne and Tokyo Olympic Games, and as a role model, fundraiser, and advocate for research into finding a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS).

In a world-first, a Perth Professor has delayed the development of MS in high-risk individuals using narrowband UVB treatment, something used to treat the skin condition psoriasis. Trials conducted by Professor Prue Hart found that in 3 out of 10 people, with a single episode of MS who were treated with UVB, the progression of their MS was halted.

It was announced today that Western Australia will join the federally-funded National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), replacing the WA-based scheme set up b the former Government.

Western Australian Governor and MSWA patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AC, recently visited the organisation’s $1.5 million Community and Health Services Centre in Bunbury. The new state-of-the-art Centre is a one-stop shop for the 200 people with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions and their carers living in the region.

In 2009, Lyndee Aspey was struck down by a stroke that left her confined to a wheelchair and with slurred speech. Once living in a nursing home, surrounded by people much older than her, Lyndee is now one of 10 full-time residents at Fern River, a high-support accommodation facility managed by MSWA.

For the past two years Dr Marzena Fabis-Pedrini has been conducting research into multiple sclerosis at the Perron Institute, supported by funding from MSWA. Dr Fabis-Pedrini’s latest research focuses on benign MS and people who have low levels of disability as a result of their condition.

Just over 18 months since the first sod was turned, MSWA’s $1.5 million Community and Health Services Centre in Bunbury was officially opened today by Disability Services Minister, Hon. Stephen Dawson, MSWA President, George Pampacos, MSWA CEO, Marcus Stafford AM and Bunbury Mayor, Gary Brennan.

MSWA CEO, Marcus Stafford AM has paid tribute to legendary Australian track and field Olympian Betty Cuthbert AM, MBE, who passed away at a nursing home in Mandurah. Ms Cuthbert was 79 years old and had been living with multiple sclerosis since 1969.

MSWA provides a wide range of vital healthcare services and support to Western Australians living with MS and other neurological conditions. This is made possible due largely to the money raised through our own fundraising activities.

MSWA CEO honoured with Order of Australia.

When Anita Gamba was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1989, she says virtually nothing was known about the neurological condition.

Bringing people living with MS and experts face to face

For most of us, spending a Sunday morning climbing 1,103 steps to the top of Central Park is a daunting task.

On May 1, the Australian government announced the inclusion of Zinbryta (daclizumab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of relapsing remitting MS.

MSWA is delighted to announce a new partnership with Perth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) for their inaugural Perth Chamber Orchestra Heritage Series.

MSWA are proud to announce that the builders of our new Community and Health Services Centre in Bunbury, Farnell Constructions, have won the 2017 Building Excellence Awards for Commercial Industrial Buildings Under $2,000,000.

MSWA is excited to be developing a new Member Services facility in Perth’s Northern Suburbs in the community of Butler.

Last week marked the announcement of one of the most significant advances in understanding multiple sclerosis and we are delighted to share this news with you.

MSWA has cemented its place as Australia’s largest investor into finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis. This year the organisation has committed a record $2.2 million to fund local and international research.

MSWA awarded Pharmacy 777 with its Business Commitment Award at the 2016 MS Dinner Auction held in August.

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Western Australia has been pushed back to mid-next year - 12 months later than the rest of the country - but the trials will be expanded.

As part of a new AFL Players’ Association initiative, ‘AFL Players Care’, MSWA Ambassador Josh Kennedy and his West Coast Eagles team mates have donated $5,000 to MSWA.

In October last year, Lalit Doolabh and his music band, Sweet Melodies, organised a community fundraising event – Navrang - to celebrate the Hindu festival Navrati.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) has a long history of providing significant financial contributions to Australian MS research efforts into finding the cause, better treatments and a cure for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Charles Sweeney, General Manager of Mining at Civmec Construction and Engineering, has been working with his division’s contractors and suppliers on a raffle to raise money for MSWA. He had a goal of $10,000 and managed to beat it raising an impressive $10,400!

As part of the trial, forty people with MS will consume a hot chocolate drink every day over six weeks.

Multiple Sclerosis Western Australia (MSWA) Ambassador and West Coast Eagles forward, Josh Kennedy, has been selected in the Virgin Australia all-Australian AFL Team.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia (MSWA) hosted the annual MSWA Dinner Auction at the State Reception Centre, Fraser’s, Kings Park on Thursday, 6 August 2015.

Lemtrada® (alemtuzumab), a new therapy for people living with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), will be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 April 2015.

A West Australian team has found evidence that the stomach ulcer bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, is associated with a lower risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), bolstering evidence for the role of the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ in autoimmune disorders.

Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a challenge, but when you have the support of your family and friends, it makes the difference between wanting to fight, and the thought of giving up. For Branka Smiljanic, the support of her 11-year-old-son, Alexander Tanasijevic, is Branka’s reason to fight.

On 31 October, five very talented MSWA Members were brave enough to put their handiwork up for scrutiny in the 2014 Canning Show. Mosaic tiles, paintings and flower arrangements were among some of the submissions and if they were nervous about how they would fare, the results proved that they didn’t need to be.

There is good news in the MS research world, as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has announced new research projects that will receive funding from 2015. Of these, four are new MS research projects which will benefit from this funding over the next three to five years.

When one door closes, another door opens.

Fortunately, a much bigger door has opened for the Members of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) as they bade farewell to Seabrooke House in Rockingham after almost 19 years and moved into a newer and larger premises on Council Avenue last Friday.

The MS Society is proud to announce the upgrade of its Wilson facility with energy efficient lighting technology. This activity received funding from the Australian Government and encapsulates the installation of 376 new LED lights throughout the facility.

Alemtuzumab, to be marketed as Lemtrada, is the latest drug treatment for people with relapsing remitting MS. It was approved by the National Health Service in the UK, and we have just received news that it has recently been positively recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in Australia for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy.

"I took part in my first yoga class twelve years ago. I hated it! I vowed to never go back”,remembers Kelly Nichols, a yoga instructor who has been teaching yoga to Members of the MS Society of WA since 2013,“twelve years on and here I am…a yoga teacher!”

Research, robotics and reminders of the importance of self-care were the topics explored with the one hundred and twenty attendees at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) annual Perth Members’ Forum held in South Perth on Wednesday 4 June.

May was the month of formal attire, live entertainment and exquisite dining for our Members at Wilson Outreach. The Centre was transformed into the MS Cruiseliner for all its Members (and care support staff) to enjoy a spirited holiday without the price tag or overnight bag. Activities such as bingo, bowling and high tea kept the holiday energy moving despite the stormy weather outside. Off shore excursions to the cinema were included in the package.

Medical treatment options to reduce relapse rates and slow the progression of disability in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis are becoming available at a rate never before seen in Australia. Recently, Members of the MS Society of WA in the South West, were presented with current and future options that may alter the course of their disease at the annual Bunbury Members’ Forum.

The power of Vitamin D to potentially reduce the risk of getting MS and influence disease progression of multiple sclerosis is gradually being revealed through the work of Australian researchers such as Professor Bruce Taylor and his colleagues at the Menzies Research Institute, Tasmania. Professor Taylor, a Professional Research Fellow at the Institute, recently visited Perth to provide an update on the latest findings regarding the role of vitamin D in MS, to MSWA Members and health professionals.

George Leathley has been a volunteer at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) for almost nine years, alongside his wife Jeanette. George also volunteers for the Gosnells Football Club and the Addie Mills Centre.

Two new oral disease modifying treatments for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), Tecfidera and Aubagio, will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in Australia as of 1 December, 2013.

George Pampacos has been appointed the new President of the Board of Directors for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia (MSWA). Prior to this appointment, George had been on the MSWA Board for four years.

Tickets are now on sale for the Multi-Choice Raffle. You've got to be in it to win it.

We’re excited to announce the completion of building works and landscaping, at the new Hamilton Hill facility.

To purchase tickets to this event, and help raise funds for MSWA please click here.

For the second successive year, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA (MSWA) is delighted to have been able to contribute more than $1 million towards research to help find the cause and cure for MS.

One of Australia’s most prominent neurologists, and Board Director at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia, Professor William Carroll, has been appointed to the highly prestigious position of First Vice President of the World Federation of Neurologists (WFN).

On Sunday, 20 October, more than 2,000 riders took to the coast in the annual Hatch Ocean Ride for MS. Riding from Fremantle to Hillarys in either the 10, 35, 50 or 70km rides, participants also raised funds along the way to help us reach our target of $300,000.