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Danny Wallace joins global fight against MS
26 May 2009
Former Man Utd star Danny Wallace is helping to shine the spotlight on the condition that ended his career early by joining together with the MS Society to support World MS Day.
The first coordinated world-wide initiative to highlight the proliferation of multiple sclerosis (MS) is being launched tomorrow (27 May) with more than 200 events in 61 countries in a concerted effort to raise global awareness of the disease.
World MS Day coincides with the football Champions League final, where Danny’s former team take on FC Barcelona in Rome.
Danny's successful footballing career - which included a goal for England - came to an abrupt end when he was diagnosed with MS in 1997.
Bidding Sir Alex and the team good luck, Danny said: “I’ve seen first hand how MS can turn someone’s life upside down. I wish I was still playing but I love the game and that will never change; neither will the importance of raising awareness of this debilitating condition.”
FC Barcelona's star player and manager Lionel Messi and Josep Guardiola have also come out in support of the special day.
Argentinean Messi said: “Whenever I go out to the field, whenever I kick the ball and whenever I run to catch it, every step and every effort I make will be a tribute to the people who live with a much more difficult challenge, to fight every day against MS.”
This first ever World MS Day has been organised by Multiple Sclerosis International Federation and by MS Societies in 61 countries around the world.
UK MS Society Chief Executive, Simon Gillespie, said: “The MS Society is delighted to be part of World MS Day and it is right that we shine the spotlight on this condition, which can have a devastating affect on people’s lives.
“With global co-operation, we will together be able to help the millions around the world who are affected by MS and their fight against the disease.”
The day aims to be a day of unity, strength and solidarity, where people affected by MS in homes, towns and cities across the world come together to take positive action on MS.
The goal is to mobilise and expand the global MS movement by encouraging people to talk about their MS experiences, donate to support people affected by MS and to fund research, join MS organisations around the world and encourage politicians to take action.
Peer Baneke, CEO of MSIF, said: “No matter where they live, people with MS, their families, friends and the wider community, need to come together to help fight this disease and allow people in any country to discuss their MS openly. We want to support those who have MS and work together across the globe to find a cure.”
World MS Day coincides with the football Champions League final, where Danny’s former team take on FC Barcelona in Rome.
Danny's successful footballing career - which included a goal for England - came to an abrupt end when he was diagnosed with MS in 1997.
Bidding Sir Alex and the team good luck, Danny said: “I’ve seen first hand how MS can turn someone’s life upside down. I wish I was still playing but I love the game and that will never change; neither will the importance of raising awareness of this debilitating condition.”
FC Barcelona's star player and manager Lionel Messi and Josep Guardiola have also come out in support of the special day.
Argentinean Messi said: “Whenever I go out to the field, whenever I kick the ball and whenever I run to catch it, every step and every effort I make will be a tribute to the people who live with a much more difficult challenge, to fight every day against MS.”
This first ever World MS Day has been organised by Multiple Sclerosis International Federation and by MS Societies in 61 countries around the world.
UK MS Society Chief Executive, Simon Gillespie, said: “The MS Society is delighted to be part of World MS Day and it is right that we shine the spotlight on this condition, which can have a devastating affect on people’s lives.
“With global co-operation, we will together be able to help the millions around the world who are affected by MS and their fight against the disease.”
The day aims to be a day of unity, strength and solidarity, where people affected by MS in homes, towns and cities across the world come together to take positive action on MS.
The goal is to mobilise and expand the global MS movement by encouraging people to talk about their MS experiences, donate to support people affected by MS and to fund research, join MS organisations around the world and encourage politicians to take action.
Peer Baneke, CEO of MSIF, said: “No matter where they live, people with MS, their families, friends and the wider community, need to come together to help fight this disease and allow people in any country to discuss their MS openly. We want to support those who have MS and work together across the globe to find a cure.”
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