Today, the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women's Hospital announces a social media campaign: 50 Million Faces (#50MillionFaces), to lead a global discussion about the impact of five neurologic diseases that collectively affect more than 50 million people worldwide. Ann Romney will publicly announce the campaign during her keynote discussion at the World Medical Innovation Forum this morning.
In October 2014, Brigham and Women's Hospital launched the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, a global collaboration in medical research to accelerate treatment, prevention and cures for five of the world's most complex and devastating neurologic diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease and brain tumors.
The 50 Million Faces community offers those affected-and their loved ones-a place to share their stories and inspire hope and empowerment. By raising awareness of these five neurologic diseases through the social campaign, the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases aims to increase focus on the need for funding research, treatments and cures. The campaign reflects the spirit of the center, which is committed to fostering real-time information sharing among researchers and clinicians to facilitate collaborations and speed the pace of scientific discovery.
"When I was diagnosed with MS, I was frightened and did not know where to turn," said Ann Romney. "I want people facing a diagnosis like mine to know they are not alone. There are so many people facing these neurologic diseases. By doing something as simple as sharing your story online, you can raise awareness and help to create a community of hope."
"Similar to the global approach at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, the campaign will engage people everywhere who can make a difference," said Howard Weiner, MD, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Disease. "We have a philosophy of collaboration at the center, and believe by banding together we can bring attention to the need for cures for these devastating diseases."
Take action:
The Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases is directed by Howard L. Weiner, MD, and Dennis J. Selkoe, MD, two of the world's leading experts in the field of neurologic disease. Their proven track record of firsts in neurologic discoveries is the foundation for the novel, integrative strategy embodied by the center.
About the World Medical Innovation Forum
Partners HealthCare, the nation's largest single academic research entity, is convening leaders from around the globe to consider the future of collaborative innovation in the first annual World Medical Innovation ForumTM. The 2015 event will bring together decision-makers from the life sciences, health care, academic and investment communities to discuss the most compelling advances in neuroscience technology, care and research.
