SEOUL, KOREA - Merck Korea (Managing Director: Dr. Michael Grund) supports 'Self-loving writing, picture, photograph contest' supporting annual medical expenses for multiple sclerosis patients hosted by Korea Medical Assistance Foundation (Chairman: Seung Heum Yoo).
This 'Self-loving contest' is the second event of its kind held in continuation from last year as an opportunity for multiple sclerosis patients of raising their self-esteem by confidently expressing love for oneself through the contest, as well as being an event planned to lighten the economic burden by supporting the medical expenses of these patients.
The application period shall run for 2 months from the coming July 1 to August 29, and relevant works may be applied via email or post together the application form. The application form may be downloaded at multiple sclerosis patients association website (http://www.kmss.or.kr/) for use.
Seung Heum Yoo, chairman of Korea Medical Assistance Foundation, said "Patients of rare chronic disease such as multiple sclerosis not only experience decline in self-esteem as the symptom extends to long term but also face a great deal of secondary pain due to the burden of continuous medical expenses". He added "I wish this contest serves as an event that provides hope to the patients and their families in need of economic assistance".
As a type of autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-nervous system disease that occur in the central nervous system such as brain, spinal cord, optic nerve etc. It causes not only paresthesia, visual impairment, motor disorder but also their subsequent secondary diseases and side effects such as defecation disorder, sexual dysfunction, depression etc. It is mainly found among young population in their 20~40’s, especially in women. Currently, the population of multiple sclerosis patients in Korea is estimated around 3.5 persons per 100,000 of population, and it has a low social recognition as it is classified as a rare and intractable disorders.
The results of the contest shall be individually notified before the end of September, and the 30 prize winners are expected to be supported with annual medical expenses worth \1.2 million for 1 year. Please make other contest related inquiries to self-loving contest secretariat (02-540-8881).
