September 2023 Newsletter

We Are ILL Graces the Back Cover of People Health

What an incredible moment for our We Are ILL community! We are beyond thrilled to share that we’re gracing the back cover of the fall issue of People Health magazine, alongside an impactful MS-focused main article about CNN correspondent John King’s MS diagnosis.

We are hopeful that Black women living with MS will see our faces on the back cover of this publication, and feel less alone and represented. With distribution to 2,250 neurology offices and 40 infusion centers, this magazine will be a source of inspiration, information, and support for countless individuals.

We’re immensely proud of this opportunity to raise awareness and share our mission with an even wider audience. Plus, we’re excited that all the Wellness Week(end) attendees will receive a copy of the magazine!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Apply Now: Volunteer Community Leaders Needed

We’ve heard your requests to create spaces for our community to gather more frequently and locally. Now we have an opportunity to make that happen — but we can’t do it without you! Join us in making a meaningful impact. We Are ILL is on the lookout for dedicated Volunteer Community Leaders who want to be at the forefront of our mission.

As a Volunteer Community Leader, you’ll play a crucial role in creating a safe, inclusive space where members can share their experiences and find strength in unity. Responsibilities of the role include cultivating an inclusive environment for shared experiences, organizing and facilitating local in-person or virtual meetings, and collaborating with group members to plan engaging discussions.

We need leaders based in the Northeast (Boston, NYC, Philly, DC); Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis); South (Atlanta, Dallas, Miami); and West (Los Angeles). Learn more about the role and apply via the button below. Your commitment can help change lives!

Victoria Featured in Health Monitor Living Magazine

Our CEO and founder, Victoria Reese, is on a roll! She can be seen on the cover of the latest issue of Health Monitor Living magazine, distributed to over 500 doctor’s offices nationwide. This inspiring article showcases Victoria’s determination to change the face of MS through We Are ILL.

Victoria continues to make us proud, and we are truly honored to have our mission highlighted in such a prestigious publication. If you come across this issue, we’d be overjoyed if you could snap a photo and tag us on Instagram!

Multiple Sclerosis News

A new MS therapy is on the way! Sandoz, a division of Novartis, recently received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Tyruko® (natalizumab-sztn). It is the first and only FDA-approved biosimilar for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis.

Tyruko is a monotherapy for relapsing forms of MS, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and active secondary progressive disease, as well as Crohn’s disease in adults.

There are now more than 20 disease-modifying therapies on the market for treating MS. We’re glad that new medicines are continually being developed, bringing hope to the nearly 1 million people in the US and over 2.8 million globally, who have been diagnosed with MS.

In Case You Missed It

• September is Self-Improvement Month. Check out this post for a variety of ways that you can celebrate this occasion dedicated to embracing your journey and becoming the best version of YOU!

• Click here to listen to WAI’s Director of Communications & Operations, Ashley Ratcliff, on Dr. Mitzi Williams’ Brain Chat podcast discussing Patient-Powered Advocacy with reps from Accelerated Cure Project and MS News and Views.

• “Finding Strength in the Ebbs and Flows” and “Parenting With Multiple Sclerosis” are the latest blogs from our Ambassadors, Moyna John-Caraballo and Amber Cunningham. Read these enlightening posts here.

• Calling all Dallas, Texas-based MS thrivers! Victoria will be participating in another Health Equity Roundtable Discussion with the Joi Life Foundation on November 11. Register here.

Upcoming Events

October 20-22

We Are ILL’s Wellness Week(end)

Thanks to our generous sponsor