This March marks the 7^th World annual Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month. Funmi Fashina Foundation urgently request public support to create greater awareness of the need for support of individuals with MSA and their families, as well as, research funding to aid in discovering the cause and cure of this fatal neurological disease.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare disease with approximately 15,000 diagnosed patients in the US at any given time. We don’t know the exact figures in Nigeria but it is a rare condition that affects 4 to 6 per 100,000 people, majorly between their 50s and early 60s, annually. MSA results in the degeneration of nerve cells in several regions of the brain that affect abilities most people take for granted. Initial symptoms may include loss of balance, fainting due to severely low blood pressure, bladder and bowel issues, speech and swallowing difficulties, sleep disturbances, breathing problems, rigidity and tremors. These symptoms often lead to a misdiagnosis as Parkinson Disease.

FFFOUNDATION became aware of the ailment four years ago when our late sister, mother wife, Funmilayo Fashina was diagnosed with the rare ailment which gradually took the life from this vibrant and active young lady at the age of 48. Over the course of the two years that we were looking for a solution to this ailment, Funmi gradually lost her motor skills, unable to walk unaided, talk properly and needed help with most of bodily functions. We also found out that there are no medications available to stop its relentless progression. Because of the rarity of Multiple System Atrophy, research experts around the world are having a difficult time finding funding for their urgently needed work. The reality is that patients and their families are left feeling abandoned by the government, the medical establishment and by various support organizations that focus on MSA’s more recognizable neurodegenerative cousin diseases like Parkinson Disease or Alzheimer’s.

The theme for this year is aimed at creating awareness on the need for a more concerted effort globally to collect and distribute money to those cutting researchers to find a cure for MSA.

For further enquiry:

E-mail: toyosi.ogundipe@fffoundation.org.ng;

Web: www.fffoundation.org.ng

GSM (text only): + 234   7026097847

MSA support help-line:    01-295 4443

Thank you and Kind regards.

 Toyosi Ogundipe

Administrative Staff

FFFoundation