The Toronto Star is putting an important shift in MS research in the spotlight: people living with MS are increasingly at the table.
With ECTRIMS Patient Community Day just three weeks away, the Star’s recent article, “Rethinking multiple sclerosis, with patients at the table,” explores how patient perspectives are helping reshape the way MS is understood, diagnosed and treated.
“Patient Community Day reflects ECTRIMS’ commitment to ensuring that the latest advances in multiple sclerosis research don’t remain within the walls of the congress, but are translated into clear, accessible information that empowers people living with MS, NMOSD and MOGAD around the world,” said ECTRIMS President Prof. Bruno Stankoff.
That commitment extends well beyond Patient Community Day.
One example highlighted in the article is the 2024 revision of the McDonald diagnostic criteria. The revision was led by the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials in MS, co-sponsored by ECTRIMS and the National MS Society, with patient representatives involved in the process.
It’s one example of how lived experience and scientific expertise are increasingly coming together to shape progress in MS.
Now in its fifth year, ECTRIMS Patient Community Day builds on that same principle by creating a direct connection between the latest science and the people it ultimately serves.
This year’s event is supported by 65 patient organisations and community partners from around the world, reflecting the broad international community behind Patient Community Day.
Taking place in partnership with #MSToronto2026 on 23 October, the free global event will translate the latest research presented at the congress into clear, accessible language for people living with MS, NMOSD and MOGAD.
Live AI translation in more than 50 languages will help people participate virtually from around the world, regardless of where they live or the language they speak.
The Toronto Star coverage is a timely reminder of why this matters: progress means not only advancing our understanding of MS, but ensuring people affected by these conditions can understand the science, engage with it and have a voice in the conversation.
Register for Patient Committee Day and join us in-person or online: https://bit.ly/3T3BQ8U
🧡 ECTRIMS Patient Community Day
📅 23 October 2026, 15:00 – 18:00 EDT
📍 Metro Toronto Convention Centre + online