GENEVA, August 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Serono, a
division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announces the start of the Real
MS: Your Story competition, with the campaign website
(http://www.realmsvoices.co.uk ) now open for entry submissions.
Real MS: Your Story is the first element of Real MS, a global
multiple sclerosis (MS) awareness campaign that launched on World
MS Day 2010. The campaign aims to unite the voice of those affected
by the disease, enhance the recognition of the disease, and
demonstrate how life with MS can be lived positively.
Real MS: Your Story will use the power of short film to show the
world that life with MS can be redefined in a positive and
fulfilling way. The Your Story script concept competition is now
open and invites entrants to submit their idea for the subject
matter of the 3-5 minute short film. Entries should be submitted
online at http://www.realmsvoices.co.uk , where the Real MS online
community will be asked to vote for their favourite entry. Once the
online community has developed a shortlist, an international
judging panel of experts will select the winning script concept
which will be made into a short film by a respected film director
and screened later in 2010.
"The unpredictability of multiple sclerosis means that people
have to reinvent their lives every day to overcome the daily
struggles and reminders of their condition," said Dr. Roberto Gradnik, Head of Global Business Unit
Neurodegenerative Diseases at Merck Serono. "Real MS: Your Story
has been designed to empower the multiple sclerosis community to
live the lives they want to lead and we are pleased to announce its
official launch today."
Comprising inspirational educational competitions throughout
2010 and into 2011, the Real MS campaign will celebrate the
stories, the achievements and the ideas of the global MS community,
and help share their vision for the management of the disease. Real
MS: Your Story is the first part of this global program of
activities.
MS affects approximately two million people around the world and
is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Common symptoms
of MS include unexplained constant fatigue, loss of sight, loss of
sensations, loss of balance, weakness and speech/swallowing and
cognitive problems.
For UK residents to enter the Real MS: Your Story script concept
competition, go to http://www.realmsvoices.co.uk. The competition
closes at 23.59 GMT, August 29,
2010.
About Real MS campaign
Real MS is an international campaign that aims to raise global
awareness of the disease and demonstrate how life with MS can and
should be better. Comprising inspirational educational competitions
throughout 2010 and into 2011, the first campaign competition (Real
MS: Your Story) aims to use the power of a short film to show the
world that life with MS can be redefined in a positive and
fulfilling way. The Real MS: Your Story competition is not open to
US residents.
About multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition of
the central nervous system and is the most common, non-traumatic,
disabling neurological disease in young adults. It is estimated
that approximately two million people have MS worldwide. While
symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms of MS include blurred
vision, numbness or tingling in the limbs and problems with
strength and coordination. The relapsing forms of MS are the most
common.
About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the division for innovative prescription
pharmaceuticals of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a global pharmaceutical and chemical
company. Headquartered in Geneva,
Switzerland, Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures
and markets innovative small molecules and biopharmaceuticals to
help patients with unmet medical needs. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates through separately
incorporated affiliates.
Merck Serono has leading brands serving patients with cancer
(Erbitux(R), cetuximab), multiple sclerosis (Rebif(R), interferon
beta-1a), infertility (Gonal-f(R), follitropin alpha), endocrine
and metabolic disorders (Saizen(R) and Serostim(R), somatropin),
(Kuvan(R), sapropterin dihydrochloride) as well as cardiometabolic
diseases (Glucophage(R), metformin), (Concor(R), bisoprolol),
(Euthyrox(R), levothyroxine). Not all products are available in all
markets.
With an annual R&D expenditure of more than EUR 1 billion, Merck Serono is committed to
growing its business in specialist-focused therapeutic areas
including neurodegenerative diseases, oncology, fertility and
endocrinology, as well as new areas potentially arising out of
research and development in autoimmune and inflammatory
diseases.
About Merck
Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical company with total
revenues of EUR 7.7 billion in 2009,
a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by approximately
33,600 employees in 64 countries. Its success is characterized by
innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating
activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the
Merck family holds an approximately 70% interest and free
shareholders own the remaining approximately 30%. In 1917 the U.S.
subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an
independent company ever since.
For more information, please visit
http://www.merckserono.co.uk