May marks Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness month and there have been plenty of events taking place across the country to support the tens of  thousands of Australians affected by the disease and raise money to fund research into a cure.
During May, Australians have been encouraged to wear red lipstick and clothing and share the message of ‘Kiss Goodbye to MS.’

Channel Ten newsreader Sandra Sully hosted an event at Sydney’s exclusive China Doll restaurant to raise funds for MS research on May 13. Comedian and former musician with the Doug Anthony All Stars, Tim Ferguson, who has MS, was a special guest and was surrounded by a bevy of beautiful burlesque dancers – which was the theme of the evening.

In Queensland, researchers at the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), The School of Medicine, and the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) who are working to find treatments to help the 23,000 Australians living with the disease, are marking the month by bathing significant buildings on campus in a dramatic shade of red each night.

The events continue to roll on, with the month culminating in a charity dinner and silent auction at the Novotel in Canberra on May 25

MS is a degenerative condition affecting the central nervous system, which is often contracted in the prime of one’s life. Take for example 53-year old Sue Posch who told VIVA! Communications about her journey with MS.

Sue was diagnosed with MS when she was 41 years of age. The diagnosis, for the busy Canberra mother-of-three, was difficult and gradual and punctuated by severe back pain.

The disease affects Sue’s daily life and she is on a special treatment coupled with plenty of bed rest, she says.
“The hardest part is fighting fatigue while living with three kids who are pretty busy,” she said.

To support Kiss goodbye to MS Month, head to http://www.kissgoodbyetoms.org and connect on Twitter and Facebook