Fundación EDPNews

The Basque Multiple Sclerosis Foundation will be holding its 'Mójate Busti Zaitez' solidarity event on Sunday 14 July, when hundreds of people will take a dip in their nearest pool or beach to collect funds for those affected by the chronic illness. The main event will be at the Ereaga beach in Getxo at 12:00 h. The campaign, backed by the EDP Foundation, sets out to help the sclerosis rehabilitation centres run by various Basque associations. The initiative, which began 22 years ago, has involved more than 80 Basque towns since then, in addition to thousands of participants and dozens of well-known faces. Sclerosis affects 56,000 people all over the country, and 2,600 in the Basque Country, while in Europe the figure is 700,000.

It is the most frequent neurological illness among young adults, and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. It affects women more than men, and in Spain a new case is diagnosed every five hours. The most frequent symptoms are: sensitivity disorders, problems with balance and speech; trembling; weakness in limbs and, in the most serious cases, paralysis of limbs; and also spasticity, urological afflictions, dizziness, fatigue, tingling and visual disorders. It is not a contagious, hereditary or fatal disease.

Those wishing to take part in the solidarity event simply go to their nearest pool or beach on the morning of 14 July and swim in the areas marked. Throughout the day over 200 volunteers from the Basque Multiple Sclerosis Foundation will be on hand at the 'Mójate' areas with information and leaflets on the illness and on how to take part in the campaign. They will also issue an official certificate to all swimmers.

The event can be followed in real time on the Foundation's social media or the hashtag #mojate2019.