Press Release

LEAD UP TO FIRST EVER WORLD MS DAY ON WEDNESDAY 27 MAY 2009

London Wednesday 20 May, 2009

American climbers Wendy Booker and Lori Schneider who both have Multiple Sclerosis are due to make their final assault on Mt Everest in the next 48 hours in the lead up to the first ever World MS Day.

Climbing in separate teams, they are believed to be the first people diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis to attempt to reach the top of Mt. Everest. If she succeeds, Lori Schneider intends unveiling a flag with the logo of World MS Day at the summit (www.worldmsday.org)

This first ever World MS Day (Wednesday 27 May 2009) aims to be a day of unity, strength and solidarity, where people affected by MS across the world are urged to come together to take positive action on MS. The goal is to mobilise and expand the global MS movement by encouraging people to talk about their MS experiences, donate to support people affected by MS and to fund research, join MS organisations and encourage politicians to take action. It has been organised by the London-based Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (www.msif.org) and by MS Societies in 54 countries around the world.

Lori Schneider has carried a World MS Day banner in her backpack every step of the way and will take it with her to the summit of Everest. “I am climbing this mountain for all of us with MS, and all those who need to be reminded to live their dreams,” she says.

“Climbing a mountain is similar to having MS - you concentrate on taking one step at a time and congratulate yourself with each step. At first I saw my MS diagnosis as devastating. Now I see that it has been a positive catalyst in my life which has moved me closer to living my dreams. My mission is to give hope to others who are living with this condition."

"I use mountains as metaphors for the obstacles we all encounter in life," says Wendy Booker. “I want to inspire others - especially young people - not to see obstacles as mountains in their way, but more as challenges to 'climb' over and around. We all have such 'mountains' in our lives and we cannot let them stop us!", says Wendy Booker.

For updates on Wendy Booker’s Everest ascent: http://wendybooker.wordpress.com For updates on Lori Schneider’s Everest ascent: http://www.alpineascents.com/everest-cybercast.asp

More information and photos/interviews:
For Wendy Booker: Trish Thomas, Akamai Consulting, LLC +1 720-224-4923/ +1 303 678 5000 Email: trish@wendybooker.net

For Lori Schneider: Dee Johnson, Dee Johnson and Associates Ph +1 715-779-3012 Email: deejohnson@centurytel.net

For further information on World MS Day contact:

Helen Regan, Advocacy and Communications Manager Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, London
Ph:+44 (0) 20 7620 1911/ + (0)7905 348 0765
Email: helen@msif.org
 

For more information:
http://www.worldmsday.org