MS Awareness Week 2017 Celebrates Breakthroughs For People Living with MS

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Mar 07, 2017, 09:54 ET

NEW YORK, March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society celebrates progress and calls upon everyone affected by MS to take action during MS Awareness Week, March 5-11, to change the world for people with the disease. Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body.

"MS Awareness Week is a time to celebrate breakthroughs that provide hope for people affected by MS, while also working to accelerate new breakthroughs," said Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO of the National MS Society.

As a global leader in MS research, the Society drives research breakthroughs that fuel treatments and solutions for MS, including much needed research into progressive MS. The International Progressive Alliance recently provided three new-large scale Collaborative Network Award grants to accelerate the pace of progressive MS research.

To advance life-changing breakthroughs, the National MS Society partners with policy makers to ensure everyone living with MS has access to the healthcare, services and support they need to live their best lives. MS activists from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C. March 20-22 to urge elected officials to support policy issues that benefit people with MS. In advance of MS Awareness Week, the U.S. Senate championed and passed a resolution (S. Res. 77) in support of people affected by MS.

"The support of the U.S. Senate, through its resolution recognizing MS Awareness Week, illustrates that together we really are stronger and it will take all of us to change the world for people with MS," said Zagieboylo.

An easy way to get involved is through Walk MS, which is expected this year to break through the $1 billion milestone in cumulative fundraising. Walk MS unites more than 300,000 people at over 500 Walk MS locations across the country to help end MS. Visit walkMS.org to learn more and register.

View and share breakthrough stories on social media with the hashtag #WeAreStrongerThanMS. During MS Awareness Week and throughout the year, these posts will be highlighted at WeAreStrongerThanMS.org, where all can find solutions, strength and inspiration through collective experiences.

To learn more about multiple sclerosis and the National MS Society's mission, go to nationalMSsociety.org.

SOURCE National Multiple Sclerosis Society