March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and we're doing our part to raise the public's consciousness to this disease. Perhaps
our dollars will be the ones to help find a cure. For 140 years, the search has
been going on. In the United States alone, almost 400,000 people are anxiously
awaiting that cure.
The following information was taken from the Multiple
Sclerosis Foundation website, as a very brief description of MS.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is
a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, (CNS)
comprised of the brain and spinal cord. In the CNS, nerve fibers or axons are
surrounded by a layer of insulation called myelin. Myelin allows nerve signals
to travel properly. In MS, the myelin is destroyed on the brain and spinal
cord.
This is similar to a
frayed electrical cord. The insulation assures that the electricity running
along the wire reaches its destination without short-circuiting. In MS, the
transmission along the nerve fibers "short-circuits," becoming faulty or
absent. This can cause problems with vision, coordination, sensation in the
limbs, and other symptoms.
MS
doesn't play favorites. Annette Funicello, Montel Williams, and Richard Pryor
are a few of the famous names with this disease. But around the planet there
are great numbers of not as famous - but just as important people - dealing
with the daily struggles of MS.
In the weeks to come, we would like to bring some personal testimonies
to the needs behind this disease. For now, consider following the MS link below
to find out about a local walk or fund raising event near you.
Click here for more information:
www.msfocus.org/