Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

It is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system, causing damage to the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers. This damage can result in a wide range of symptoms, including difficulty walking, fatigue, muscle weakness, and cognitive impairment.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS, and the exact cause of the disease is unknown.

However, researchers and medical professionals have made significant strides in recent years in developing treatments and therapies that can help manage symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.

Footballers raise awareness and support for people with MS

One group that has been particularly active in raising awareness and support for MS patients is professional footballers.

Many current and former players have been inspired by family members or friends who have been diagnosed with the disease and are now using their platform and influence to help others.

In the United Kingdom, the Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) has partnered with the English Football League (EFL) to raise awareness of the disease and funds for research and support.

Each season, all 72 EFL clubs donate a signed shirt, which is auctioned off to fans, with the proceeds going to the MSS. The initiative has raised more than £850,000 since it began in 2013, and the league has made MS its official charity partner until 2023.

Several footballers who have played in the EFL, including former Hull City captain Curtis Davies and ex-Chelsea defender Gary Cahill, have spoken publicly about their relationships with family members who have MS and their support for the MSS.

Footballers with MS continue to fight

Footballers who have been diagnosed with MS themselves have also played an important role in raising awareness of the disease. One such player is former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who was diagnosed with MS in 2017.

Scholes has used his platform to speak about the challenges of living with the disease and the importance of staying active and healthy.

Another player who has continued to make a mark on the football world after being diagnosed with MS is former Celtic and Scotland defender Jackie McNamara.

McNamara was diagnosed with the disease in 2019 and has since become an advocate for MS awareness and fundraising. He regularly speaks about his experiences living with the disease and has taken part in several charity events, including a 24-hour football marathon that raised more than £60,000.

Football community raises millions for MS research and support

The football world has also come together in other ways to support MS research and patients.

In 2019, a group of football legends, including Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen, took part in a charity bike ride in France to raise funds for the UK-based MS Trust. The ride, which covered more than 700km in four days, raised more than £300,000.

In the United States, Major League Soccer (MLS) has also been active in supporting MS research and patients. Since 2012, the league has partnered with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) to promote MS awareness and fundraise for research.

Each year, MLS clubs hold events and auctions to support the NMSS, and the league has donated more than $7 million to the society since the partnership began.

Conclusion

While there is still much work to be done to find a cure for MS and improve the lives of those affected by the disease, the efforts of footballers and the broader football community have made an important contribution to MS awareness, research, and support. By using their platform and influence, these players have helped raise millions of dollars and inspire others to get involved in the fight against MS.