Coffee shops across the country are participating in a campaign to raise awareness about multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune condition. The initiative involves 66 coffee shops serving coffee in cups labelled with the phrase ‘Navigating MS Together’ along with badges and stickers supporting and raising awareness for MS. The cups also feature a QR code providing access to personal stories and information about the condition. Khaleej Times visited one of the participating cafes, Pekoe Tea & Bread Bar, where baristas proudly wore badges and served coffee in branded cups with messages such as ‘Supporting the fighter, admiring the survivors’.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable condition of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of MS include cognitive changes, fatigue, walking difficulties, and visual disturbances that can impact quality of life. The campaign, launched on World MS Day, showcases rebranded orange coffee cups symbolizing hope for MS patients. Orange represents optimism, confidence, enthusiasm, and warmth, emphasizing the need for increased public awareness and support for those affected by MS.
Mariam Al Qubaisi, a MS ambassador at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, shared her personal journey with the condition. At 17, she experienced her first MS symptoms during high school sports day, leading to a few years of misdiagnoses until she was finally diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS) in 2019. Despite initial anxiety and confusion due to lack of information about MS, Mariam has learned to better understand and manage her condition over the years. She hopes the coffee cup campaign will educate the public about MS and reduce misconceptions.
Living with MS for 11 years, Mariam has gained a deeper understanding of the condition and has learned to manage her symptoms effectively. She believes that more awareness about MS is crucial, as she still meets people who are unfamiliar with the condition. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in the UAE actively supports the MS community through various initiatives, including hosting events with experts like Dr Ahmed Shatila, a consultant neurologist and member of the NMSS Medical Committee, to raise awareness and answer questions about MS.
Established in 2022 under the Ministry of Community Development, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a UAE-based NGO dedicated to improving the lives of people living with MS and their communities through education, advocacy, and advancing global efforts to find a cure for the condition. The society’s initiatives, including the coffee cup campaign in partnership with coffee shops, aim to increase public awareness about MS and provide support to those affected by the condition. By sharing personal stories and information, the campaign hopes to inspire compassion and understanding for individuals living with MS.
