Teva partners with charity ‘Climbing Against MS’ for 7th annual ascent up Mont Ventoux – helping raise over €500,000 for research into MS

Amsterdam / June 6, 2017 –  Yesterday, a pan-European team of employees from Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe B.V. joined the charity event Climbing against MS for the 7th annual cycle, hike and walk up France’s ‘Giant of Provence’ – Mount Ventoux. The event raised over €500,000 in donations to be earmarked for research aimed at improving the quality of life for those afflicted with multiple sclerosis (MS). Over 600 cyclists, runners, hikers – including both those with MS as well as their family, friends & support network – scaled the 1900 metre peak in southern France on Monday. Participants posted live updates on the event’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/climbingagainstmstevateam), encouraged on by their fellow participants and the online MS community. 

“At Teva, we’re excited to support Climbing Against MS for the 6th year running,” said Tomas Boeckx, Head of CNS Europe at Teva. He added, “We’re really impressed and admire the ‘refuse to lose’ attitude of all the participants in yesterday’s race. Facing and overcoming challenges while staying active isn’t just important for MS patients – it’s important for everyone’s health and well-being. We hope through our support we can foster greater awareness, understanding and research for those with MS.” 

Many participants ascended Mount Ventoux in relay teams. “We encouraged participants to team up under the motto ‘Stronger Together’ in scaling Mount Ventoux. We felt this captures the right team spirit when tackling MS,” explained Edwin van Wijngaarden from the MoveS foundation, which organizes Climbing against MS. “I can’t think of a better way of driving home the challenge of life with MS than by teaming up and, together, heading to the top of one of the highest peaks in France,” Mr. van Wijngaarden continued.

According to the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP), more than 700,000 people in Europe are affected by MS. MS is one of the most common long-term conditions affecting the central nervous system (brain & spinal cord). MS is mainly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, and – after traffic accidents – is the greatest cause of disability in young adults.1