By Jo Sopala | Director of Fundraising and Marketing
“It is very helpful and encouraging to hear a neutral opinion”
Since 1993 the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Trust has set out to provide trusted, reliable information about MS to anyone who needs it. When we began, very little information was available to the public
“I was diagnosed, discharged and sent home to wait for a referral a few weeks later. I wasn’t given any leaflets and because there was no internet around then all I had were library books and the telephone directory.”
Nowadays the problem can be too much information. Search “multiple sclerosis” on Google and you will receive over 21 million results. It can be terrifying and overwhelming to sort through the promises of miracle cures, traumatic personal stories and adverts for medical devices. People need to know there is somewhere to turn to; someone at the end of a telephone who can answer questions, provide the evidence so that they can make their own decisions about how they will live with and manage their MS.
That is why the MS Trust’s enquiry service is still so much in demand. As of the end of July, the number of enquiries we have received is already 20% higher than at the same point last year. And the number of questions we receive from health professionals caring for people with MS has also increased. In July we received 33% more questions from health professionals than in the previous month.
People contact us to ask about a wide range of topics; in July we responded to questions on almost 100 different topics such as drug treatments, symptoms, benefits, lifestyle issues such as diet and regulations about driving. Our service users really value the fact that they can pick up the phone and talk to someone about whatever is worrying them. They know that they will speak to someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience, who will either know the answer or know where to find it.
People ask their questions in lots of different ways. Last month, 61% of enquiries were over the telephone, 22% via Facebook, 16% on email and the remaining 1% via Twitter and our blog.
We are determined to be here to provide evidence based, personalised information about MS for everyone that needs it, but we can only do it thanks to the generosity of people like you. Your support means that we can continue to help people understand and take control of their MS. On behalf of everyone at the MS Trust and the thousands of people who use our services, thank you very much indeed.
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