MS Society is an association that involves passionate people who are in war against MS and wish to move towards an MS (Multiple Sclerosis) free world. The association funds research based on MS treatment. It aims to stop progress of MS infection on the human body when discovered, restore function of the central nervous system and immune system and eradicate MS. Research shows that MS is a neurological condition that affects around 100,000 people in the UK. Most people affected are between the ages of 20-40, the majority of them being women. The society invests highly in MS research today; most of the researches are in immunology, symptom relief, stem cells and MS services (Brill, 2008).
The society began with one woman, Sylvia Lawry. It was a time when her brother was diagnosed with MS and started showing the symptoms. There was a search for a cure which was unsuccessful. Sylvia reached out to others through a newspaper in 1945 and found out that most of the replies were seekers of MS answers. Sylvia, in 1946, created the AARMS (Association for Advancement of Research in Multiple Sclerosis). The association’s sole purpose was to sponsor MS research. At this time, the association consisted of only of Ms. Lawry and 20 prominent research scientists. Its names changed to National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in 1947 and the same year opened two local chapters of the Society in California and Connecticut.
Sylvia sought more ways to finance the cause. She found assistance in Senator Charles Tobey of New Hampshire, a member of the Congress, who also had a loved one with MS. His support enabled Sylvia to persuade the Congress to adopt what today is called the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The year 1950 was a time where there was minimal government’s interest with MS (National Multiple Sclerosis Society (U.S.), 1983). Since then, the government research expenditure to the Institute has increased to $1.5 billion where $110m of the proceeds went to Multiple Sclerosis.
The society was an instrument in the development of many FDA-approved medications. The drugs reduced MS infection among people, assisted to delay the progression of the disease that could lead to permanent disabilities if not treated. The drugs are also used to protect the body’s nervous system. It also came up with 16 therapies used in MS treatment today which were approved by the FDA.
Sylvia passed on in the year 2000 and went with praises of a woman who solely started a battle against MS and as a founder of NMSS. The society she founded currently spends $870m in MS research. The researches fuel knowledge and speed better treatments, symptom management therapies, health care policies and new disease management. It also continues to play a seminal role in developing an understanding of the central nervous and immune system.
Today, the society has a 50-state network of chapters, each spending nearly $126m a year to serve more than 1m people. The society also devotes $46m plus each year to fund more than 440 MS projects. Its website receives more than 2m visitors monthly. It provides non-charge phone calls that connects callers to their nearest MS office and publishes Momentum magazine. Momentum has a readership of over 1m. The magazine is an award-winning quarterly magazine. Apart from funding research, the society organizes campaigns for people with disabilities. (Naff, 2009).
References
Brill, M. T. (2008). Multiple sclerosis. Tarrytown, N.Y: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark.
Naff, C. F. (2009). Multiple sclerosis. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society (U.S.). (1983). Inside MS: [official publication of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society]. New York, N.Y.: National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
