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Live stream event on May 30th with Twitch influencers & video messages from those affected on Facebook
Vienna / Darmstadt (OTS) –
- Merck Austria presents video messages from those affected and supports virtual online activities of the MS Gesellschaft Wien
- Merck and online platform Twitch are working together on World MS Day to improve understanding of the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Live stream event on May 30th with Twitch influencers in the spirit of the official motto “MS Connections” to raise public awareness, collect donations and network those affected
Merck, a leading science and technology company, participates in numerous local and global activities with the global community of multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers around World MS Day. In Austria, Merck supports the activities of the Vienna MS Society and sponsors a live online webinar. FACEBOOK also publishes video clips of those affected who are responding to the current COVID crisis. There is a cooperation with on a global level Twitch. Together with the world’s leading online multiplayer entertainment provider in the community, the company aims to promote global awareness and understanding of the effects of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Affected people report about MS in times of the corona crisis
The individual handling of the current corona crisis confronts many sufferers and doctors with new challenges. Under www.facebook.com/AugenblickeMS/ In short video clips, they give authentic insights into how their lives have changed and how they master the situation.
The Webinar “Living with multiple sclerosis and corona – first experiences of MS sufferers with COVID-19”, took place online on May 27th, 2020. Univ. Prof. Priv. Lecturer Dr. Barbara Kornek (Med Uni Wien / AKH) spoke on the occasion of World MS Day 2020 on the subject of “Living with MS and Corona” and answered questions. Merck Austria supported this virtual event. The recorded webinar and further information can be found at: https://www.msges.at
Livestream event with Twitch
As part of an 8-hour livestream event on World MS Day, Merck and Twitch will virtually connect those affected and raise awareness of MS in order to help overcome the stigma associated with the disease. Twitch influencers and invited guests are involved in the program with contributions to the discussion. These include Luke Thomas, responsible for fundraising and engagement at MSIF, Dr. Wallace Brownlee, MS specialist and specialist in neurology at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London as well as three community members who themselves have MS. The livestream is also intended to serve as a platform for collecting donations for the MSIF.
To watch the livestream, please register with Twitch on May 30th from 6 p.m .:
- 6pm – 8pm: YogsCast with Luke Thomas, responsible for fundraising and engagement at MSIF, with information about World MS Day and the MSIF program “Informed Decision Making”, and Eddie, who has multiple sclerosis
- 8pm – 10pm: NickEh30 with Dr. Wallace Brownlee, MS specialist and specialist in neurology at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, on the basics of MS
- 10 p.m. – midnight: BrookeAB with Trishna, who, as an MS sufferer, explains how important it is to stay physically active
- Midnight – 2 a.m .: Swiftor with the gamer Hamish suffering from MS about the possibilities of platforms like Twitch to connect people
The highlights of the day are also shown on www.twitch.tv.
Financial support for patient organizations
Merck has announced a € 1 payment for each of the company’s posts at @MerckHealthcare on Twitter and on the LinkedIn page of Merck’s Healthcare division, which is shared using the hashtags #MSConnections and #MSInsideOut (up to a total of € 50,000 ) donate to MSIF. The funds from the retweets on social media and Twitch’s livestream flow into the Informed Decision Making program of the MSIF. The program is designed to create digital resources that connect communities around the world. This gives people with MS free access to the best possible information and can make informed decisions about their health and life. With a total of 1.5 million logged-in users and an average of 15 million users per day, Twitch has long been involved in charities that are sponsored by companies and the community. Since 2011, the Twitch community has raised over $ 200 million in donations for a variety of purposes.
About multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the most common non-traumatic neurological disorder that leads to severe impairments in young adults. The number of people with MS worldwide is estimated at 2.3 million. Symptoms can vary, including blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs, as well as weakness and coordination problems. The most common is relapsing MS.
About World MS Day 2020
World MS Day is celebrated on May 30th each year. Various events and campaigns on the topic of MS take place throughout the month of May. World MS Day creates a common framework for the global MS community to exchange information, raise awareness of the disease and to work with and for everyone affected by MS. In line with the motto of the MS Connections (“Together, Strong”) of the World MS Day 2020–2022, this year’s campaign aims to increase awareness of social barriers, recognize support networks and connect communities. The campaign is being designed by the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) in collaboration with members of the global MSIF movement.
About Twitch
Launched in 2011, Twitch is a global community that comes together every day to create multiplayer entertainment as a shared live experience with unique and unpredictable experiences created by the interactions of millions of people. It brings the joy of cooperative interaction to a wide variety of streaming areas, from casual gaming and world-class e-sports to anime marathons, music and art. Twitch is also the host of TwitchCon, the largest community event of the year, where tens of thousands of people come together to celebrate and connect with others who share their interests and passions. Twitch’s services are always in live format. Stay up to date on everything and follow Twitch on Twitter and on your own blog.
About Merck
Merck, a leading science and technology company, operates in the healthcare, life science and performance materials sectors. Around 57,000 employees work to make a decisive difference in the lives of millions of people every day for a better future: From the development of precise technologies for genome editing to the discovery of unique ways of treating diseases and the provision of applications for intelligent devices – Merck is everywhere. In 2019, Merck generated sales of 16.2 billion euros in 66 countries. Scientific research and responsible entrepreneurship are crucial for Merck’s technological and scientific progress. This principle has been in effect since it was founded in 1668. The founding family is still the majority owner of the listed group. Merck holds global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the divisions act as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials.
Questions & contact:
MERCK GesmbH
Wolfgang Groeger
Head of Communications & Patient Advocacy Groups Austria
+43 664 60 600 437
wolfgang.groeger@merckgroup.com
merck.at
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