Rep. Barbara Lee Marks MS Awareness Week
March 11, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carrie Adams
(202) 225-2661
Washington, DC – To mark the beginning of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week, Congresswoman Barbara Lee reintroduced an annual resolution supporting the Goals and Ideals of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week, first introduced in 2008.
Multiple Sclerosis affects approximately 2 million people worldwide and is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from person to person. There is currently no cure for this unpredictable disease.
“I hope that this resolution will shed light on a disease that my family and hundreds of thousands of families around the nation have faced. My wonderful sister Mildred showed me what it’s like to live with multiple sclerosis,” said Congresswoman Lee.
The bipartisan recognition brings awareness about the impact of MS on individuals and families, expresses gratitude to family members and friends who are a source of encouragement, and salutes the health care professionals and researchers who are working to find treatments and a cure for this debilitating disease.
“This resolution will support the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition in raising awareness about MS by urging, states, localities, and the media to participate in MS Awareness week, and by encouraging people to educate themselves about the disease.”
Congresswoman Lee introduced H.R. 883, in order to serve youth with neurological conditions by providing support for adult day programs. She is the recipient of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Legislator of The Year Award.
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