Ann Romney Is Launching a Social Media Campaign

Ann and Mitt Romney. Photo by Melissa Malamut

Last October, Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) launched the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, a “global collaboration in medical research to accelerate treatment, prevention and cures for five of the world’s most complex and devastating neurologic diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.” These diseases affect more than 50 million people worldwide.

At the event, Ann Romney told Boston that the project is aimed at fighting for treatments for people who have no hope. “For me, that’s the first step for people who are suffering from ALS or from Alzheimer’s, and offering more treatments for people with Parkinson’s, and more treatments for the terrible train tumors that have no potential treatment,” she said. “We are finding some real exciting research, and we are working with doctors across the county and across the world.”

Now, the Ann Romney Center has launched a social media campaign called, “50 Million Faces,” with the goal of leading a global discussion about the impact of these five diseases, according to BWH reps.

“When I was diagnosed with MS, I was frightened and did not know where to turn,” Romney said in a statement. “I want people facing a diagnosis like mine to know they are not alone. There are so many people facing these neurologic diseases. By doing something as simple as sharing your story online, you can raise awareness and help to create a community of hope.”

The 50 Million Faces campaign will offer a way for families and loved ones affected by these diseases “to share their stories and inspire hope and empowerment,” while also raising awareness to hopefully increase funding for research, treatments, and cures.

“Similar to the global approach at the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, the campaign will engage people everywhere who can make a difference,” said Howard Weiner, MD, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Disease, in a statement. “We have a philosophy of collaboration at the center, and believe by banding together we can bring attention to the need for cures for these devastating diseases.”

To learn more visit BWHannromneycenter.org