Canadians are being called upon to “Vote to end Canada’s disease” in a effort from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada that takes advantage of the federal election campaign.
Lawn signs with that slogan and in the colours of the federal parties are being put on lawn’s of MS Society chapter members across Canada.
MS is considered Canada’s disease because the country has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world, with it affecting one in 280 individuals.
The campaign, which is running for the last six weeks of the federal election campaign, also includes direct mail, online video and social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
To bring MS onto the radar, the MS Society tries to use events happening in Canada to make a big bang without a big spend, says Mark Biernacki, co-owner of Toronto-based Mackie Biernacki, which created the campaign.
“We’re just leveraging the federal election this time as one of the ways to remind people that this is Canada’s disease,” he says. “No matter who you’re going to vote for in this election, it’s everyone’s problem, so let’s deal with it.”
Canadians are being asked to join the fight to #endMS by sending letters to their local candidates to press for greater support for those affected by the disease. More than 7,500 letters to candidates were generated in the day after the launch of the e-advocacy campaign. The Liberal Party has also tweeted its support for the campaign.
At endMs.ca, Canadians can use their postal code to find their local candidates and customize and send their messages. “Canada has the highest rate of voters with MS in the world,” the site notes.
People can also participate by using the hashtag #ElectToFight .
The MS Society is seeking revisions to employment insurance and support programs to better accommodate people living with MS and funding to accelerate MS research.
