THE MAY 50K IS ABOUT HOPE THAT TOGETHER, we can raise funds to support those affected by Multiple Sclerosis and work towards our vision of a world without MS.
There are over 2.8 million people around the world living with MS and in every country, life is different. At the MS International Federation, it’s our mission to leave MS where it belongs, behind us.
DMSG (Germany), Stichting MS Research (Netherlands), the UK MS Society, and MS Ireland are world-leading MS organisations, and they have all come together with the MS International Federation to bring you The May 50K!
Working together across the globe, we boost scientific progress to prevent, treat and stop MS. We strive for a world where everyone living with MS can access treatments.
Together we have committed to increase funding for vital MS research worldwide, improve access to effective treatment and support for everyone – no matter where they live. The May 50K is one of the most important ways we can help achieve those goals, so the only thing we leave behind us is our limits.
Without working together there would be nobody taking the fight for access to affordable treatments to the global level. We are stronger when we all work together!
We are stronger when we all walk, run or roll together!
Let’s leave MS behind
MSIF rallies the global community to advance research into preventing, treating, and stopping MS. We work to increase the meaningful participation of people affected by MS throughout the research and development process.
By taking part in The May 50K, you will help continue that work, supporting our involvement in international research collaborations such as the Patient Reported Outcomes in MS (PROMS), an initiative that aims to develop a global, unified view on PROs to enhance their use and impact in MS research and healthcare.
Register today as an individual, a social team or a workplace team.
Essential Medicines
In August 2023, following our successful application, the World Health Organization (WHO) added three disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) onto its Essential Medicines List for the first time. The WHO’s Essential Medicines List is an internationally recognised set of selected medicines to help countries choose how to treat their priority health needs.
With this pivotal decision, the WHO acknowledged the importance of making MS treatments available in all health systems. It was a significant moment in the history of MS, marking a crucial step towards improving access to treatments for people living with MS, particularly those in low to middle-income countries or low-resource settings.
We are delighted to share that since then, there is a gathering body of evidence showing the impact that this is having at ground level. For example, in Ghana, data generated by local clinicians and a national MS registry were used alongside the WHO EML listing to successfully advocate for rituximab to be added to the country’s National Health Insurance Scheme. This means people with MS in Ghana may now receive this disease-modifying therapy with financial support through national insurance — a major advance in affordability and practical access in a region where treatment options were previously very limited.
Your support helped make this change happen!
Advocacy
There is no country in the world where access to effective MS treatment is perfect, but in many low to middle-income countries people often have little to no treatment at-all. Taking part in The May 50K will help people around the world who don't enjoy the same vital support that is taken for granted elsewhere and help change the world for people who otherwise may never get treatment.
The International Progressive MS Alliance
The International Progressive MS Alliance
MSIF is proud to be a Managing Member of The International Progressive MS Alliance, one of the most important global collaborations in the history of MS. Its funding of cutting-edge scientific research is beginning to show progress that many people living with progressive MS had long thought hopeless.
The International Progressive MS Alliance recently launched a groundbreaking Clinical and Imaging Data Resource (CIDR) that brings together one of the world’s largest collections of anonymised MRI scans and clinical data from people living with MS. This unique resource includes around 72,000 MRI scans and 200,000 clinical visits from over 13,500 participants in past clinical trials, contributed by leading pharmaceutical companies and harmonised by world-class researchers at McGill University.
By giving MS researchers exclusive access to this powerful, AI-ready dataset, the Alliance is removing major barriers that have slowed progress in progressive MS, helping scientists better understand how the disease advances and enabling faster, smarter, and more effective clinical trials.
Partnering with National MS Charities
MS Ireland, The UK MS Society, DMSG (Germany), and Stichting MS Research (Netherlands) are teaming up with the MS International Federation so the money you raise will be shared to fund local and international projects.
In Ireland, The UK, Germany and The Netherlands, 70% of the money you raise will fund their projects and 30% will help MSIF to rally the global community to prevent, treat and stop MS, improve access to treatment and support projects around the world.
In every other country your support will help fund the work of the MS International Federation, which supports MS organisations and people affected by MS around the world.
Wherever you are from, thank you for being part of this amazing fundraising commmunity!
The MS International Federation
We bring together MS organisations from around the world to help everyone affected by MS. We rally the global community to increase funding for MS research strengthen MS organisations in countries where there is little support for people with MS, campaign for increased awareness of the disease, and work to improve access to treatment for everyone.
Testimonials
"I have SPMS, I have had MS for over 28 years. I did the May 50k in 2022, it definitely makes me feel better to have people saying I inspire them to keep fighting MS. I am just trying to do the best I can to hopefully slow down the progression of my MS"
Rob (UK)
"My very close friend Sandra and two neighbours are living with MS. As an ambassador for a month-long run supporting MS research, I can raise awareness about this neurological condition and educate others"
Stefanie (Germany)
"I was diagnosed with MS 15 years this Halloween. I wanted to challenge myself, push myself to do more that I usually do, I may find it tough and hard but I feel the need to push myself to show myself and others that I can do it"
Olivia (Ireland)
