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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis (MS) can impact individuals of
3all ages, races, and ethnicities but is at least two to three
4times more common in women than in men; and
 
5    WHEREAS, There are approximately 2,300,000 individuals
6worldwide who have been diagnosed with MS; and
 
7    WHEREAS, In a study presented in October 2017 by the
8European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple
9Sclerosis, preliminary results from leading experts estimate
10nearly one million people are living with MS in the United
11States alone, which is more than twice the previously reported
12number of 400,000; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National
14Multiple Sclerosis Society shows 18,365 persons living with MS,
15and, as not all people register with the Society, the true
16number of persons living with MS in this area is higher; and
 
17    WHEREAS, In Illinois, the Department of Public Health
18collaborates with community partners to improve the health of
19people at risk for, or affected by, MS; and
 
20    WHEREAS, MS is typically diagnosed in individuals between

 

 

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1the ages of 20 and 50, but it is estimated that between 8,000
2and 10,000 children and adolescents are living with MS in the
3United States; and
 
4    WHEREAS, MS is an unpredictable and often disabling disease
5of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of
6information within the brain and between the brain and the
7body; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling to
9vision problems and paralysis, and the progress, severity, and
10specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be
11predicted; and
 
12    WHEREAS, While there is no evidence that MS is directly
13inherited, studies show that there are genetic and
14environmental factors that give certain individuals a higher
15risk of developing MS; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The exact cause of MS is still unknown, and there
17is no cure for MS; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition, a national
19network of independent MS organizations dedicated to the
20enhancement of the quality of life of individuals affected by
21MS, recognizes and supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week;

 

 

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1and
 
2    WHEREAS, The mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition is
3to increase opportunities for cooperation and to provide
4greater opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources
5for the benefit of the MS community; and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
7was a founding member of the International Progressive MS
8Alliance, which coordinates research to accelerate the
9development of treatments for progressive MS by removing
10international scientific and technological barriers, and, as
11of 2018, includes 17 MS organizations from 17 countries, nine
12foundation and trust members, and seven pharmaceutical
13partners; and
 
14    WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and
15supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during March of
16every calendar year; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week are
18to invite people to join the movement to end MS, to encourage
19everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment to moving
20toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those who have
21dedicated time and talent to help promote MS research and
22programs; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Building awareness is a year-round effort, and MS
2Awareness Week serves as a platform for everyone affected by MS
3across the country to share strategies and experiences to live
4their best lives in the belief that together we are stronger;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, In 2019, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is
7recognized during the week of March 10 through March 16;
8therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the week of
11March 10 through March 16, 2019 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis
12Awareness Week; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That we support the goals and ideals of Multiple
14Sclerosis Awareness Week and encourage municipalities to
15support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
16Week by issuing proclamations designating Multiple Sclerosis
17Awareness Week; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That we encourage media organizations to
19participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week to help
20provide education to the public about multiple sclerosis; and
21be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That we encourage residents to help ensure that
2more people understand what life with MS can be like by sharing
3the stories of those living with MS on social media and by
4using the hashtag #ThisIsMS; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we commend the efforts of municipalities to
6support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
7Week and recognize and reaffirm the commitment of the State of
8Illinois to ending MS by promoting awareness about individuals
9that are affected by MS and supporting MS research and
10education programs; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we recognize all individuals living with MS
12and express gratitude to the family members and friends of
13individuals living with multiple sclerosis who are a source of
14love and encouragement for those individuals, and we salute the
15healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide
16assistance to individuals affected by MS; these professionals
17continue to work to find ways to stop multiple sclerosis, to
18restore what has been lost due to MS, and to end MS forever.