MS Awareness Month 2025 - We Are ILL

Dear friends, colleagues, and family,

Before joining the Board of Directors for We Are ILL, I was a support partner and friend for two black women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). I witnessed the struggles Black women face firsthand, from finding the right doctors and medications to the overwhelming costs and the lack of research for us. The journey was isolating, frustrating, and unfair.

Then came We Are ILL, an organization that provides education, support, and community. I watched resilient Black women uplift each other and share their stories, ensuring no one faced this disease alone. Through We Are ILL, I got to understand the hidden battles of MS, as well as other autoimmune diseases; and how someone could appear "able-bodied" while fighting an invisible war within. Giving whatever dollar amount I had at the time, I was able to make an impact on the work We Are ILL has been doing in the lives of Black women.

This year, I've stepped up  my contribution! I am honored to join We Are ILL as a Board Member and deepen my commitment to the fight against MS, but most importantly the fight for black women diagnosed with MS. MS is being diagnosed in Black women at alarming rates, yet we continue to face delayed diagnoses, limited access to care, and a stark lack of representation in research. I am dedicating my life and time to helping those diagnosed with MS win.

Not only are We ILL, We are changing the narrative. Through education, advocacy, and community-building, we are ensuring that Black women with MS are seen, heard, and supported like never before. From powerful conversations to groundbreaking initiatives, we are pushing for real change.

But we can't do it alone. Your contributions help fuel this mission. They allow us to host our signature event, Wellness Week(end), expand educational programs across the country, and create safe spaces where Black women with MS can boldly share their journeys. Every dollar helps us fight for a future where Black women with MS are not just included in the conversation but prioritized.

Will you stand with us?

Click below to give today and be a part of this powerful movement. Together, we're rewriting the future of MS in the Black community.

With gratitude,

Paris