Multiple Sclerosis Crew Sail through the Panama Canal

Oceans of Hope, the 67-foot yacht undertaking the first circumnavigation with a working crew of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS), spent the weekend traveling the locks of the Panama Canal. They have arrived in Panama City greeted by the Pacific Ocean and chocked off another major milestone in circling the globe under sail. 

"Going through the Panama Canal is an epic moment for us," said Founder and CEO of the Sailing Sclerosis Foundation Dr. Mikkel Anthonisen. "To enter from the Atlantic side into the Pacific Ocean just seven months after leaving Copenhagen, it's almost a transforming process. Just like our goal of changing the perceptions of MS - we are making the impossible possible! Still there are many dreams to be lived out. Many oceans to be crossed."

Giovanni Profeta, the only crew member hailing from South America lives with MS. He is a lawyer from Lecheria, Venezuela. Diagnosed with MS in 2010 following the discovery of intense optical neuritis and the loss of strength in his lower body, Giovanni finds the crew dynamic inspiring.

"Right now I feel I have friends all around. We're not simply patients with something in common, we are doing something out of this world, and we are all putting our biggest effort to make it happen." He adds, ""Sometimes the sea treats you well, and you can have a comfortable day on Oceans of Hope. Other times, the sea gets a bit eager and everything moves - the rain can come out of nowhere to make your night watch miserable, but in the end, it's in us to get the most out of every situation and move forward."

During the brief stay in Panama, Oceans of Hope is tucked in a protective marina at Punta Culebra. Following a crew rotation with six new MS patients coming aboard, the bright saffron-colored yacht will head off again, skirting the coast of Columbia and mainland Ecuador, before heading east to the Galapagos Islands. Other planned stops along the global route include Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Barcelona along with several other stops in Europe. This ground-breaking circumnavigation will end in Barcelona during October of 2015 where the yacht and crew will attend the MS2015 ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS global conference.

People living with MS from all over the world are participating as crew on each leg of the voyage and places are still available on board throughout the journey. To find out more and apply to take part, those living with MS may download the application forms at sailing-sclerosis.org

Biogen Idec is the Official Partner of Oceans of Hope. Through cutting-edge science and medicine Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of MS. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is the world's oldest independent biotechnology company.