Merck gears up for MS challenge to raise research funding

With over 25,600 Australians living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Merck employees in Australia are planning a significant show of support for the MS community, as they prepare to take on the annual fitness and fundraising event, The May 50K. 

This year the company has broadened participation beyond its Neurology division across the wider business, with Healthcare, Life Sciences and Electronics staff all taking part. Teams include ‘Fast and Curious’, ‘The Young and the Breathless’ and ‘XCLR8tors’. 

Organised by MS Research Australia under the Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign, The May 50K asks entrants to walk or run a total of 50kms across the month, with friends, colleagues and families sponsoring to raise funds for research to find a cure. 

Fiona Rowland, Neurology Business Unit Director, Merck Healthcare, said “We’re stepping it up a gear this year and increasing our commitment to the MS community in these difficult times.  

“As a company, Merck has more than 20 years’ involvement in MS and it’s a cause close to our heart. We are conscious of the daily challenges living with MS can bring, along with the burden experienced by carers.” 

This year, Merck has made an even more unified effort as a company in The May 50K and, throughout May, will be tracking teams’ progress and encouraging employees to log some serious results, with fun rewards and internal touchpoints to keep them going, along with the satisfaction of contributing to MS research. 

Charlotte Goodall, MS Research Australia Business Development Manager, who coordinates and assists workplaces to take part in The May 50K, will launch Merck’s participation at a team morning tea and educational event at the Macquarie Park office on 29th April “We’re excited to see Merck upping the ante this year to make a lasting impact into MS research, with staff really entering into the spirit of the challenge with energy and creativity. We can’t wait to see how they do and thank them for their support!” she said. 

2021 is the third year of The May 50K, part of MS Research Australia’s award-winning Kiss Goodbye to MS campaign, which is now the biggest global initiative raising funds for research into MS and is supported by 13 countries. More than 25,600 Australians are living with MS, with an associated total economic cost of $1.75 billion per annum.