SR0218 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0218 LRB101 11625 MST 57737 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact individuals of all ages, races, and ethnicities but is at least two to three times more common in women than in men; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately 2,300,000 individuals worldwide who have been diagnosed with MS; and

WHEREAS, In a study presented in October 2017 by the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, preliminary results from leading experts estimate nearly one million people are living with MS in the United States alone, which is more than twice the previously reported number of 400,000; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society shows 18,365 persons living with MS, and, as not all people register with the Society, the true number of persons living with MS in this area is higher; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois, the Department of Public Health collaborates with community partners to improve the health of people at risk for, or affected by, MS; and

WHEREAS, MS is typically diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50, but it is estimated that between 8,000 and 10,000 children and adolescents are living with MS in the United States; and

WHEREAS, MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the body; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling to vision problems and paralysis, and the progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted; and

WHEREAS, While there is no evidence that MS is directly inherited, studies show that there are genetic and environmental factors that give certain individuals a higher risk of developing MS; and

WHEREAS, The exact cause of MS is still unknown, and there is no cure for MS; and

WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national network of independent MS organizations dedicated to the enhancement of the quality of life of individuals affected by MS, recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is to increase opportunities for cooperation and to provide greater opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the benefit of the MS community; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was a founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance, which coordinates research to accelerate the development of treatments for progressive MS by removing international scientific and technological barriers, and, as of 2018, includes 17 MS organizations from 17 countries, nine foundation and trust members, and seven pharmaceutical partners; and

WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March of every calendar year; and

WHEREAS, The goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are to invite people to join the movement to end MS, to encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment to moving toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those who have dedicated time and talent to help promote MS research and programs; and

WHEREAS, Building awareness is a year-round effort, and MS Awareness Week serves as a platform for everyone affected by MS across the country to share strategies and experiences to live their best lives in the belief that together we are stronger; and

WHEREAS, In 2019, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is recognized during the week of March 10 through March 16; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the week of March 10 through March 16, 2019 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and encourage municipalities to support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week by issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage media organizations to participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week to help provide education to the public about multiple sclerosis; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage residents to help ensure that more people understand what life with MS can be like by sharing the stories of those living with MS on social media and by using the hashtag #ThisIsMS; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commend the efforts of municipalities to support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and recognize and reaffirm the commitment of the State of Illinois to ending MS by promoting awareness about individuals that are affected by MS and supporting MS research and education programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize all individuals living with MS and express gratitude to the family members and friends of individuals living with multiple sclerosis who are a source of love and encouragement for those individuals, and we salute the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to individuals affected by MS; these professionals continue to work to find ways to stop multiple sclerosis, to restore what has been lost due to MS, and to end MS forever.