Anna is taking part in May MS fundraiser

Kilcullen woman Anna McLeod is taking part in this year’s May 50K fundraiser to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and support research into new treatments, writes Brian Byrne. Anna, who was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago, is one of nearly 1,000 people in Ireland signed up to run, walk, or roll 50 kilometres during May while raising donations. 

Almost 11,000 people in Ireland are living with MS, and the campaign is helping to shine a light on the condition while also funding research. Around €147,000 has been raised across Ireland at the halfway stage of the 2026 May 50K.

Anna, an ambassador for MS Ireland, has set herself a larger goal of 100 kilometres and was already well on the way there this week. She says MS affects each person differently, but adds that major progress in treatment has been made in recent decades. 

"It's just very individual for everyone, which is something I struggled with when I was first diagnosed. When my GP first mentioned MS, I just burst into tears. I just thought, like, this is a death sentence, I'm going to end up in a wheelchair." Twelve years on, she has run three half-marathons, and her MS symptoms have been stable for several years. She praises the support she has received from St Vincent’s Hospital and MS Ireland.

Anna's donation page is here.

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