Kicking Off MSA Awareness Month: Share, Spread, and Support!

March is here, and with it comes the start of MSA Awareness Month—a time to shine a spotlight on Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and often misunderstood neurodegenerative disorder. At the Coleen Cunningham Foundation (CCF) for PSP Awareness, we’re passionate about raising awareness for all forms of Atypical Parkinsonism, and this month, we’re rallying everyone to join us in amplifying the conversation around MSA. Together, we can educate, support, and inspire hope for those affected by this challenging condition.

Why Awareness Matters

MSA is one of the Atypical Parkinsonism disorders, alongside Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). It affects movement, balance, and autonomic functions like blood pressure and bladder control, often progressing more rapidly than Parkinson’s disease. Yet, because it’s rare—impacting roughly 2-5 per 100,000 people—it’s frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked. Awareness is the first step toward better understanding, earlier diagnosis, and improved research for treatments and, one day, a cure.

This March, we’re asking YOU to help us spread the word. Whether you’re living with MSA, caring for someone who is, or simply want to support the cause, your voice can make a difference.

How to Get Involved: Update Your Profile Picture and Banner

We’ve made it easy to show your support! Head over to our dedicated awareness page at (Click Here) and download our MSA Awareness Profile Picture and Banner. These graphics are designed to catch attention and spark curiosity—perfect for starting conversations about MSA.

Here’s how to update your social media and join the movement:

1. Download the Graphics
   Visit the link above, scroll to the MSA section, and download the profile picture and banner. They’re free and ready to use!
2. Change Your Profile Picture
   - On platforms like X, Facebook, or Instagram, go to your profile settings.
   - Upload the MSA Awareness Profile Picture from your device.
   - Pro Tip: Many platforms (like Facebook) let you set it as a temporary profile picture for just March. Look for the “temporary” option when uploading—it’ll revert back to your original photo on April 1st.
3. Update Your Banner
   - For X or Facebook, head to your profile and select “Edit Profile” or “Change Cover Photo.”
   - Upload the MSA Awareness Banner and adjust it to fit.
   - This works great as a bold visual statement all month long.
4. Share It with the World
   Once you’ve updated your profile, post about it! Tag friends, family, and followers, and let them know why you’re raising awareness for MSA. You can keep it simple:
   - “It’s MSA Awareness Month! I’ve updated my profile to spread the word about Multiple System Atrophy. Join me—download yours at pspawareness.com (Click Here).”

Add Some Facts from Our Flyer

To really inform others, consider adding a few details from our MSA flyer (available on the same page) in your post. Here are some key points to share:

• What is MSA? A progressive disorder that mimics Parkinson’s but includes additional symptoms like fainting spells or coordination loss.
• Who’s Affected? It typically strikes in a person’s 50s or 60s, with no known cure—yet.
• Why Awareness? Early recognition can improve quality of life, and research needs our support to find answers.

For example: “Did you know MSA affects balance and blood pressure, often going undiagnosed? I’m raising awareness this March—join me!”

A Busy Three Months Ahead

MSA March is just the beginning! We’ve got a packed spring lined up to honor all Atypical Parkinsonisms:

• CBD Awareness Month in April
• PSP Awareness Month in May

You can download profile pictures and banners for these conditions too, right now, at the same link: (Click Here). Whether you stick with MSA all spring or switch it up each month, every share helps us reach more people.

Let’s Light the Path Together

By updating your profile and spreading the word, you’re not just raising awareness—you’re offering hope and solidarity to those facing MSA. No one walks alone on this journey, and your support proves it. So, download those graphics, share your story, and let’s make March a month of action, education, and connection.

Have questions or want to get more involved? Drop us a message to join our community efforts. Together, we can change the narrative around MSA and Atypical Parkinsonism—one profile at a time.

It’s MSA Awareness Month, everyone! Let’s do this!