MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Vilmarie Ocasio joined News13 NOW at 9 a.m. on Thursday to talk about her Multiple Sclerosis awareness campaign.

March is MS awareness month, and this year Ocasio is encouraging people to wear a stylish orange item, then take a picture and post it to social media using the hastag #MSwithStyleAwarenesMonth

Ocasio is a student at Coastal Carolina University who is originally from Puerto Rico. She founded the Community Organization of Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer, Inc., and she is also a 2017 Girl Scouts USA National Young Woman of Distinction. Through her organization one of her main goals is to educate people about multiple sclerosis.

On March 16, she encourages everyone to participate in “Orange Jean Day,” but orange jeans are not required. Any clothing item or accessory will work. Again, Ocasio hopes people will take a picture of themselves in the orange items and then post them to social media with the aforementioned hashtag.

Below is a rough guide of the discussion during News13 NOW. Watch the video for more details.

Q. What is Multiple Sclerosis and the initiative that you have to educate people about this condition?
A. Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. I associated with a wire. For the third consecutive year, I am having a Multiple Sclerosis campaign where I give and coordinate lectures for students, legislators, doctors, nurses, the general public, and many more.
Q. Where did you find this passion to educate about MS?
A. In 2014 my mom was diagnosed with MS and I noticed the lack of information that existed around me.
Q. Being so young and having a nonprofit organization, what impact have you had accomplish to help MS patients after Hurricane Maria?
A. As a surprise, I sent mini portable air conditioners to MS patients so they could go through that crisis without suffering too much. The heat and stress are the two main components that Ms patients do not desire. I continue with this initiative if the people like to donate money t have PayPal Account: https://www.paypal.me/MSCancer
Q. What is the campaign of MS with Style?
A. MS with Style is to let people know that no condition can detain a patient with MS that they could follow their dream and passion no matter what. Also, patients can feet special and not get into a depression because it encourages them to dress with style. Also, the general public can understand that the color orange represents MS and it affects people internally, but they can still enjoy life.
Q. How has been your growth with this project?
A. Little by little I have grown not only professionally, but also I have gained experience and fulfilled my need to help people.
Q. What other activity do you have?
A. This Friday is a Orange Jean Day, I encourage the general public and the MS patient to take a picture with an orange item, it can be a hat, glasses, scarf, and with any item that makes it look stylish and download to the social media with a hashtag: #MSwithStyleAwarenessMonth