Stop MS history
Today is the most exciting time there's ever been for the treatment and management of MS. We know what everyone with MS wants - no relapses, no build up of disability and no uncertainty. And we know how to do it. We need to raise £100 million for groundbreaking research that will make it happen.
Thirty years ago there were no disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS. Today there are over a dozen licensed treatments for people with relapsing forms of MS, and some emerging for early active progressive MS.
But these treatments only work for some and there are no treatments that can completely stop the progression of MS.
Decades of research have led to major advances in our understanding of MS. We’re now in a position to build on that success and stop MS once and for all.
Our research story
We were founded in 1953 by Richard and Mary Cave, who had MS. We've been raising money for research ever since, funding our first symptom management project in 1959.
Since then, we’ve invested £220 million in research, which has led to significant progress in MS treatments. And we've been led every step of the way by our community of people who know MS.
Some of our biggest milestones include:
- establishing the MS Society Tissue Bank
- setting up the MS Research network
- founding world class MS research centres in Cambridge and Edinburgh
- launching the UK MS Register.
We've come a long way since 1953. But we need to do more. And that means a significant investment.
Stop MS Appeal history
We started laying the groundwork for the Stop MS Appeal in 2012 when we recruited our Stop MS steering group. They developed our vision for the campaign.
Since that time we've worked closely with our steering group, Appeal Board members and Pioneers to raise money through fantastic events like our St Paul's Christmas Concert and Jacqueline du Pré Tribute Concerts.
Behind the scenes, we've invested time and money building our Expert Consortium of researchers and designing incredible new trials.
For 4 and a half years the Stop MS Appeal built momentum and during this more discreet phase we raised an incredible £47 million. None of this would have been possible without the help and dedication of our supporters.
Our Stop MS Appeal went live to the public on 8 October 2019.
An end to MS is in our grasp. Raising £100 million over ten years will revolutionise treatments and change the course of MS for everyone.
“With a dramatic increase in investment over the next 10 years, there is a genuine prospect we can transform treatment for everyone with MS, including people with progressive forms. The Stop MS Appeal is pivotal to us achieving this.”Professor Alan Thompson (Consultant neurologist and Chair of Scientific Steering Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance)
