National Ms Society And Biogen Idec Unite On A Program To Recognize
Individuals For Their Creative Solutions To Ms Challenges
NEW YORK, and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., and SAN DIEGO, Calif., July 19
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Biogen Idec, (Nasdaq: BIIB) the National Multiple
Sclerosis Society, and MSWorld announced today a joint program, MS Leaders of
Hope, to recognize individuals with MS and their caregivers who have responded
to the challenges of the disease in ways that uniquely inspire others. The
four-month online program will award a winning applicant in each of six
different categories $1,000, along with a trip for two to the Society's
National Conference to be held this year in Denver, Colorado, November 10 -
13, where the winners will be presented with their awards.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031112/LAW121LOGO )
"We are most pleased to be part of this important new initiative," said
Gen. Mike Dugan, President and CEO of the National MS Society. "This program
affords people with MS and their caregivers an opportunity to make the point
loud and clear that disability and inability are not synonymous. You don't
lose your creativity just because you're diagnosed with MS. The Society is
looking forward to spotlighting these innovative solutions to MS challenges."
"We look forward to partnering with the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society on the MS Leaders of Hope awards program," said James C. Mullen, CEO
of Biogen Idec. "Working together, we will create a forum that addresses the
challenges that people with MS face on a daily basis and inspire others with
MS to live their lives to the fullest."
Beginning today, those interested in participating in the program can
visit the MS Leaders of Hope website at http://www.msleadersofhope.com and
either nominate themselves or e-mail the nomination to someone else they feel
should be a candidate because of his or her creative solution to the following
life challenges:
-- Mobility
-- Relationship
-- Time Management
-- Workplace/Employment
-- Memory
-- Caregiving
The nomination period will end on September 15, 2004. A select panel
comprised of people with MS representing Biogen Idec, the National MS Society
and MSWorld will select three finalists in each award category. Once the
panel has made its selections, all finalists will have their story and
creative solution posted at http://www.msleadersofhope.com, where visitors to
the site will be able to vote for the story and solution they find most
inspiring within each award category. This online voting process will take
place between October 4 and October 26, 2004, with winners to be announced on
November 8, 2004. Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and will be the
guests of the National MS Society and Biogen Idec at the Society's National
Conference in Denver, Colorado on November 10 where they will be presented
with their awards.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central
nervous system that according to the National MS Society, affects
approximately 400,000 people in the United States and approximately 2.5
million people worldwide. It is a disease of young adults, mostly women, with
onset typically between 20 and 50 years of age. Symptoms of MS may include
vision problems, loss of balance, numbness, difficulty walking and paralysis.
About The National MS Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, founded in 1946, supports more MS
research, offers more services to people with MS, provides more professional
education programs, and advances more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS
organization in the world.
About Biogen Idec
Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in oncology and immunology. As
a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of
novel therapies, Biogen Idec transforms scientific discoveries into advances
in human healthcare. For press releases and additional information about the
company, please visit http://www.biogenidec.com.
For More Information Contact:
MEDIA CONTACTS:
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Arney Rosenblat
Ph: (212) 476-0436
Biogen Idec
Amy Brockelman
Ph: (617) 914-6524
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Biogen Idec
Christina Dillon
Ph: (617) 679-2812
SOURCE Biogen Idec
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Related links:
http://www.biogenidec
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/101550.html
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20031112/LAW121LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, 888-776-6555 or 212-782-2840
CONTACT:
MEDIA CONTACTS, Arney Rosenblat of National
Multiple Sclerosis Society, +1-212-476-0436; or Amy Brockelman
of Biogen Idec, +1-617-914-6524; or INVESTOR CONTACT, Christina
Dillon of Biogen Idec, +1-617-679-2812
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