This Is Why We Ride
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis.
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 500,000 persons with MS.
Promising Treatments for MS
Thanks to significant advances in research, the FDA has approved several treatments that may alter the underlying disease course of multiple sclerosis, and early treatment is critically important. People with MS should consult their doctors about using one of these FDA-approved medications and other effective treatments for the symptoms of MS. If you or someone you know has MS, contact the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at 1-800-FIGHT MS or visit nationalmssociety.org for more information.
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 1 million Americans. The National MS Society estimates that multiple sclerosis affects approximately 3 million people worldwide.
