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What Is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) usually strikes adults in the prime of life —between the ages of 20 and 50. It is a chronic disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord. One new case of MS is diagnosed every hour. It comes and goes unpredictably, leaving people to wonder, “Will I become paralyzed, blind or have trouble walking? Will I be able to raise my family and continue my career?” To help answer these questions and give hope to those living with the disease, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society:

Supports more MS research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more
professional education programs and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other
MS organization in the world
Meets the standards of all major agencies that rate non-profit groups
Serves more than 400,000 persons with MS — add the people who love and care for those
with MS, the number of individuals affected by the disease balloons to 2 million

Promising Treatments for MS

Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future
disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS
to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day
reveal a cure.

How Many People Are Affected By MS?

Each week, the symptoms of MS are diagnosed in 200 Americans. A new case is identified every hour. Approximately 400,000 Americans are living with multiple sclerosis. Counting family members and caregivers, MS affects more than 2 million Americans. The National MS Society estimates that multiple sclerosis affects approximately 3 million people worldwide.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis, the number one disabler of adults. The Society supports more research, offers more services for people with MS, provides more professional education programs and furthers more MS advocacy efforts than any other organization in the world. The National MS Society's Web site is www.nationalmssociety.org.

Celebrating 50 years in the fight against multiple sclerosis, the Lone Star Chapter serves more than 17,000 individuals who are affected by multiple sclerosis in 141 Texas counties. The chapter is number one in the nation: financially, geographically and in terms of population. In 2004, the Lone Star Chapter was awarded the prestigious Cavallo Award, which is given annually to the chapter that distinguishes itself by offering exceptional client programs and advocacy. Charity Navigator also recently honored the Lone Star Chapter with four stars - its highest award for outstanding financial and service excellence. While there is no cure yet, FDA-approved medications can significantly reduce the number of acute attacks and delay the onset of permanent disabilities. All funds are privately raised and 83 cents of every dollar is used to benefit persons affected by multiple sclerosis. The Lone Star Chapter has offices in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi. The Lone Star Chapter's Web site is www.nationalmssociety.org/txh.