International Progressive MS Alliance Welcomes New Australian Voices to Key Engagement Team
"The Engagement Coordination Team includes people living with progressive MS. Their role is to integrate the lived experience into the Alliance's research, advocacy, and communication activities."
The International Progressive MS Alliance (Alliance) has officially updated its People Affected by MS Engagement Coordination Team. As part of this transition, Dr. Vanessa Fanning has stepped down as Chair, and MS Australia has publicly acknowledged her significant contributions to the organization.
In her place, three new Australian representatives have joined the team:
- Mark Elisha
- Simone Flanagan
- Carla di Cocco
About the Alliance
Founded in 2012, the Alliance is a global collaboration dedicated to developing treatments for progressive multiple sclerosis. Its comprehensive work includes:
- Drug development and clinical research
- Building global data resources to accelerate discoveries
- Identifying wellbeing supports for those affected by MS
The Role of the Engagement Team
The Engagement Coordination Team is composed of individuals living with progressive MS. Their mission is to embed the lived experience directly into the Alliance’s core operations, ensuring that patient perspectives shape:
- Research design and application development
- Project review and evaluation
- Advocacy and communication strategies
This update reinforces the Alliance’s commitment to ensuring that those most affected by progressive MS remain central to every stage of the search for treatments and support.