Residents are invited to enjoy free or discounted coffee while learning more about multiple sclerosis through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s awareness campaign taking place on May 30 and 31.
More than 30 cafés across the UAE are inviting residents to enjoy complimentary or discounted coffee while learning more about multiple sclerosis (MS) as part of a nationwide awareness campaign taking place on May 30 and 31.
Launched in collaboration with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the initiative aims to encourage conversations about the neurological condition through simple, community-driven experiences centred around coffee culture and social connection.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition that affects the central nervous system, interfering with communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms vary from person to person and can include fatigue, numbness, vision issues, mobility difficulties, and cognitive challenges.
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, studies in the UAE estimate that 19 out of every 100,000 people are living with MS, with many diagnoses occurring in early adulthood.
Participating cafés include Nectar, Third Place Cafe, Therapy Café, Art Market, Coffee Architecture, Blue Box Café, Ribambelle, Kutubna, Stir Café, Zinn Café, Kave, Koub Café, and SALT locations across Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Al Ain, alongside several other cafés in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Participating venues will offer special drinks, community activities, and educational materials aimed at helping residents better understand the condition and support people living with MS. Organisers said the goal was to bring awareness into everyday social spaces rather than traditional medical settings.
“Coffee shops naturally create moments of connection and conversation,” organisers said. “We wanted to make awareness feel accessible, welcoming, and community-driven.”
The initiative forms part of the UAE’s activities marking World MS Day, which is observed globally each year to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and strengthen support systems for people affected by multiple sclerosis.
The latest campaign builds on previous awareness efforts by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society aimed at bringing conversations around MS closer to the communities and spaces where people naturally connect. In 2024, the organisation launched a similar coffee cup initiative for World MS Day and introduced a dedicated emotional support helpline for people living with MS and their families.
