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 White Plains, NY - In a continuing effort to promote greater knowledge of the impact multiple sclerosis has on the community, the National MS Society in cooperation with local MS Society Chapters and community groups is offering a series of outreach activities to mark National MS Awareness Week, March 10 to 17, 2008.
Every hour of every day someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, for which there is currently no cure. Over 400,000 people in the United States live with the unpredictable symptoms of MS that can come and go at a moments notice or can be permanent.
Thousands of our neighbors, friends and relatives in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Counties have MS and are registered with the Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society. It is suspected that there are thousands more who have MS and are unaware of the services and programs offered by The National MS Society.
“A diagnosis of MS can leave one feeling suddenly at sea, “ said William O’Reilly, President of the Southern NY Chapter of The National MS Society. “We are here to provide a bit of a life raft. The Society and all of the individual Chapters across the country provide information, referrals, services and above all, an intimate understanding of what it is like to receive a diagnosis. We want people with MS and their families to know that as long as we are here, they will never be alone and we will always working on their behalf.”
About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men contracting the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.
About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The mission of the National MS Society is to end the devastating effects of MS. Through its home office and 50-state network of chapters, the Society funds more MS research, offers more services to people with MS, provides more professional education, and advances more MS advocacy efforts than any other MS organization in the world.
In 2007 over 200,000 volunteers at 58 MS Chapters throughout the country raised over $50 million to help National MS Society Chapters continue to provide support to clients and families who are affected by MS. In addition the money is used to fund critical research into the cause of and finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.
The National MS Society, Southern New York Chapter will be out in the community during MS Awareness Week, offering information about research to identify a cause for MS and current treatments available. In addition, visitors will have an opportunity to talk to staff about services and programs and register for many of the Chapter’s upcoming events including the 2008 Walks for MS that will be held at Rye Playland on April 13; Rockland County/Bear Mountain, May 17; Sullivan County, May 17; Putnam County, May 18 and Rockland County/Bear Mountain on May 18.
Join the Movement and find the National MS Society, Southern NY Chapter during MS Awareness Week!
Thursday, March 13
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Westchester County Offices
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY
Saturday, March 15
12 noon to 6:00 pm
The Westchester Mall
White Plains, NY
To Join the Movement and receive more information about National MS Awareness Week and the Southern New York Chapter of the National MS Society, call (914) 694-1655.
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