What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects the central nervous system – brain, optic nerves and spinal cord…usually occurring in early adult life.

• When the brain receives signals, the spinal cord disperses them to and from different parts of the body via a network of nerves (1)

• The nerves are surrounded by a soft, white, fatty protective sheath, called Myelin. (2)

• With MS, Myelin breaks down (demyelination) causing disruptions in nerve communications (damaged areas called lesions). This disruption leads a slowing or blocking of muscle coordination, visual sensations or other nerve signals.

• Multiple sclerosis, which affects an estimated 1 million people worldwide, is considered to be an autoimmune disease, caused when the body mistakenly attacks healthy nerve cells. Many experts believe that somehow a virus triggers the mistaken immune system reaction that causes MS.

What are the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

• Multiple Sclerosis inflicts serious, often de-humanizing effects on its victims.

• Symptoms can vary depending on location of damaged nerves, so no two cases of MS are identical.

• Initially, symptoms can last days to weeks; as the disease progresses symptoms can worsen leading to permanent disability.

The Many Faces of MS

• MS is a devastating disease affecting approximately 500,000 in the U.S. This number does not include the families and friends of the sufferers who are affected psychologically, financially. MS affects millions more around the world. The many faces of MS change the numbers.

• One of the most common disabling diseases among young adults, striking down victims during the prime of their lives.

• The average age of onset is 25-35 years of age, but recent research indicates the onset may begin in childhood. The disease can be severe enough to cause great disability.

• It’s twice as common in women as men. Young mothers often face dealing with this disease and the demands of child rearing.

The Costs of MS

In addition to the physical and emotional toll MS takes on those who suffer from this debilitating disease - and their families and caregivers - there are enormous financial costs to patients, their families, and our healthcare system.

• In 1999, the National Institute of Health gave MS the highest disability rating, yet MS receives the least amount of money to support research for a cure.

• A 1998 study at Duke University’s Center for Health Policy Research and Education found – based on 1994 data - the annual cost of MS to be in excess of $34,000 per person with lifetime costs of more than $3.2 million, translating into a conservative estimate of national annual cost of $6.8 billion! (cureMSnow! believes that substantial progress to a cure can be reached for under $5 Million in research funding.)