• Get to know our RMS Champions
  • hear from Real MS Patients
  • Share Your Story
  • Words of Strength
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EXPRESS YOURSELF
Let Your Voice Be Heard

BE INSPIRED BY OUR CHAMPIONS

You know that you are so much more than your relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS)—and so do our RMS Champions. See how they take control of their lives and continue to express themselves every day.

Watch their stories below.

Meet Eric

See how Eric finds time to express himself through his passions while living with MS

Meet Alex

Learn how Alex expresses herself on her MS journey as a mother and teacher

Meet Michelle

Hear how Michelle expressed herself to her doctor when things weren’t going well with her treatment

MS patient Sonja headshot

MEET SONJA:
Expressing Herself Through Art

“Hello, my name is Sonja. I have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but that doesn’t stop me from expressing myself. I’m excited to share my story and experience with Express4MS…”

MS patient Ron headshot

MEET RON:
Expressing Himself With Strength

“Hello, my name is Ron. I have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, but that doesn’t stop me from expressing myself. I like to say that my life has been a 3-round fight…”

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HEAR FROM OTHERS

Hearing these stories may inspire you, and sharing your own may inspire others. Watch and listen to this diverse group of people living with RMS talk about how they express themselves.

Scroll to hear their stories.

Meet Chris

Learn about a professional basketball player’s MS diagnosis and treatment journey

Meet Sagal

Hear how Sagal’s family has been supportive in her MS journey

Meet Eleisha

Find out how an ER nurse has navigated life with MS

Chris and his love of reading

Explore how Chris expresses himself through his passion for reading and learning

Sagal and her love of cooking

Go on an adventure with Sagal as she discusses the power of a good meal

Eleisha and her love of exploration

Go on a journey with Eleisha as she expresses herself through exploring new and interesting places

Sagal’s treatment journey

Follow along as Sagal talks about life with MS as a college student

Chris and his family support

Learn how family support became a cornerstone of Chris's strength following his MS diagnosis

Ready for more stories?

SUBSCRIBE NOW
Individual experiences with MS, RMS, and with MAVENCLAD may vary. The statements above do not imply an endorsement of any particular healthcare provider.

BE AN RMS CHAMPION. INSPIRE OTHERS.

Now it's your turn. We are looking for RMS Champions just like you. We want you to share your story and how you express yourself despite your diagnosis. Your story will motivate others within the community. When you complete the form below, you'll receive more information. You can opt out at any time.

Fill out the form below to share your story.

Submission Form

Registrants must be 18 years or older. Your information will be kept confidential in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy.

I have relapsing MS but am not taking any treatment

I’m currently on treatment for relapsing MS

I’m a caregiver (care partner) for someone with relapsing MS

Please tell us a little about yourself

Yes

No

We share as many stories as possible. Unfortunately, we can't share them all. Submitting your story is not a guarantee that it will be featured on the site and we reserve the right to not use stories for any reason we deem appropriate.

I authorize EMD Serono, Inc., and companies working with or on behalf of EMD Serono, to contact me via email, mail, or phone to conduct marketing activities, which includes, but is not limited to, providing me with educational and promotional materials, information on EMD Serono products and patient support services, special offers, and services related to my therapy or my medical condition, and/or to conduct market research activities, which includes contacting me to participate in focus groups, surveys, or interviews which may be funded or sent by an MS LifeLines® Support Program or an EMD Serono affiliate. I understand that EMD Serono will not release my personally identifiable information to any party, except as provided in this authorization or as permitted by applicable law, without first obtaining my (or my authorized representative’s) separate written consent. I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by contacting EMD Serono and MS LifeLines® at 1-877-447-3243 or in writing at 200 Pier 4 Boulevard, Boston, MA 02210. By submitting this form, I authorize EMD Serono, Inc. and all companies working with or on behalf of EMD Serono to use the information in a deidentified manner in marketing, educational, and promotional materials.

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Indication and Important Safety Information

WHAT IS MAVENCLAD?

MAVENCLAD is a prescription medicine used to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), to include relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease, in adults. Because of its safety profile, MAVENCLAD is generally used in people who have tried another MS medicine that they could not tolerate or that has not worked well enough.

MAVENCLAD is not recommended for use in people with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).

It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age and is therefore not recommended.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
MAVENCLAD may cause serious side effects, including:
  • Risk of cancer (malignancies). You should follow healthcare provider instructions about screening for cancer.
  • MAVENCLAD may cause birth defects if used during pregnancy. Women must not be pregnant when they start treatment with MAVENCLAD or become pregnant during MAVENCLAD dosing and within 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course. You should stop treatment with MAVENCLAD and contact your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with MAVENCLAD.
    • For women who are able to become pregnant:
      • Your healthcare provider should order a pregnancy test before you begin your first and second yearly treatment course of MAVENCLAD to make sure that you are not pregnant.
    • Ask your healthcare provider which contraceptive method is right for you. Women and men being treated with MAVENCLAD should use effective birth control (contraception) on the days on which they take MAVENCLAD and for at least 6 months after the last dose of each yearly treatment course.
Do not take MAVENCLAD if you:
  • have cancer (malignancy).
  • are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are a woman of childbearing age or a man able to father a child and you are not using birth control.
  • are breastfeeding.
  • are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive.
  • have active infections, including tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B or C.
  • are allergic to cladribine.
Before you take MAVENCLAD, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
  • think you have an infection.
  • have taken, take, or plan to take medicines that affect your immune system or blood cells, or other treatments for MS. Certain medicines can increase your risk of getting an infection.
  • have had a recent vaccination or are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive live or live-attenuated vaccines within the 4 to 6 weeks preceding treatment with MAVENCLAD or receive these types of vaccines during your treatment with MAVENCLAD and unless directed by your healthcare provider.
  • have heart failure.
  • have or have had cancer.
  • have liver or kidney problems.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if MAVENCLAD passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed on the days on which you take MAVENCLAD, and for 10 days after the last dose.
How should I take MAVENCLAD?
  • MAVENCLAD is given as two yearly treatment courses, consisting of 2 treatment weeks (cycles) about a month apart.
  • Handle MAVENCLAD with dry hands and take immediately after opening the blister pack. Take with water and do not chew the tablet. MAVENCLAD can be taken with or without food and should be taken at least 3 hours apart from other medicines.
  • Wash your hands after handling MAVENCLAD. Limit contact with your skin (especially on your face). Wash skin and surfaces with water if contact occurs.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If the whole day passes before you remember, take your missed dose the next day. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. Instead, you will extend the number of days in that treatment week.

Your healthcare provider will continue to monitor your health during the 2 yearly treatment courses, and for at least another 2 years during which you do not need to take MAVENCLAD. It is not known if MAVENCLAD is safe and effective in people who restart MAVENCLAD treatment more than 2 years after completing 2 yearly treatment courses.

MAVENCLAD can cause serious side effects. If you have any of these symptoms listed below, call your healthcare provider right away:
  • low blood cell counts have happened and can increase your risk of infections during treatment with MAVENCLAD. Blood tests are needed before you start treatment with MAVENCLAD, during your treatment with MAVENCLAD, and afterward, as needed.
  • serious infections such as:
    • life-threatening or fatal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi.
    • TB, hepatitis B or C, and shingles (herpes zoster). Fatal cases of TB and hepatitis have happened with cladribine during clinical studies. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any symptoms of the following infection related problems or if any of the symptoms get worse, including fever, aching painful muscles, headache, feeling of being generally unwell, loss of appetite, burning, tingling, numbness or itchiness of the skin in the affected area, skin blotches, blistered rash, or severe pain.
    • progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to death or severe disability. Although PML has not been seen in MS patients taking MAVENCLAD, it may happen in people with weakened immune systems. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening neurologic signs or symptoms. These may include: weakness on 1 side of your body, loss of coordination in your arms and legs, decreased strength, problems with balance, changes in your vision, changes in your thinking or memory, confusion, or changes in your personality.
  • liver problems. Symptoms of liver problems may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, or your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow. Your doctor will perform blood tests to check your liver during treatment.
  • allergic reactions (hypersensitivities). You should stop treatment and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions occur. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, swelling or itching of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
  • heart failure. MAVENCLAD may cause heart failure, which means your heart may not pump as well as it should. Call your healthcare provider or go to the closest emergency room for medical help right away if you have any signs or symptoms such as shortness of breath, a fast or irregular heart beat, or unusual swelling in your body.

The most common side effects of MAVENCLAD include: upper respiratory infection, headache, and low white blood cell counts.

These are not all the possible side effects of MAVENCLAD. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact EMD Serono at: 1-800-283-8088 ext. 5563 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including serious side effects.

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