HR0706LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

1
HOUSE 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
10that nearly 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
15MS, and, 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

 

 

HR0706- 2 -LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

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
5disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow
6of information within the brain and between the brain and the
7body; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Symptoms of MS range from numbness and tingling
9to vision problems and paralysis; 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 is a national
19network of independent MS organizations dedicated to the
20enhancement of the quality of life of individuals affected by
21MS; and
 

 

 

HR0706- 3 -LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

1    WHEREAS, The mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Coalition
2is to increase opportunities for cooperation and to provide a
3greater opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources
4for the benefit of the MS community; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been
6a driving force of MS research since 1946, relentlessly
7pursuing prevention, treatments, and a cure; the society has
8invested more than $1 billion in groundbreaking research; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Funds raised through the National Multiple
10Sclerosis Society fuel research on pathways to MS cures and
11invest in the MS research workforce at the best medical
12centers, universities, and other institutions throughout the
13U.S. and abroad, leading to many breakthroughs in the
14treatment of MS; and
 
15    WHEREAS, In 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
16was a founding member of the International Progressive MS
17Alliance, which coordinates research to accelerate the
18development of treatments for progressive MS by removing
19international scientific and technological barriers and, as of
202018, includes 17 MS organizations from 17 countries, nine
21foundation and trust members, and seven pharmaceutical
22partners; and
 

 

 

HR0706- 4 -LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

1    WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and
2supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day every year;
3and
 
4    WHEREAS, The goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
5and Day are to invite people to join the movement to end MS, to
6encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment
7to moving toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those
8who have dedicated time and talent to help promote MS research
9and programs; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Building awareness is a year-round effort, and MS
11Awareness Week and Day serve as a platform for everyone
12affected by MS across the country to share strategies and
13experiences to live their best lives in the belief that
14together we are stronger; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we declare the week of March 13 through March 19, 2022 as
18Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and we declare May
1930, 2022 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day; and be
20it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we support the goals and ideals of Multiple

 

 

HR0706- 5 -LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

1Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day and encourage municipalities
2to support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis
3Awareness Week and Day by issuing proclamations designating
4Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That we encourage media organizations to
6participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day to
7help provide education to the public about multiple sclerosis;
8and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That we encourage residents to help ensure that
10more people understand what life with MS can be like by sharing
11the stories of those living with MS on social media and by
12using the hashtags #ThisIsMS and #MSConnections; and be it
13further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we commend the efforts of municipalities to
15support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
16Week and Day and recognize and reaffirm the commitment of the
17State of Illinois to ending MS by promoting awareness about
18individuals that are affected by MS and supporting MS research
19and education programs; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That we recognize all individuals living with MS
21and express gratitude to the family members and friends of
22individuals living with multiple sclerosis who are a source of

 

 

HR0706- 6 -LRB102 26541 LAW 37148 r

1love and encouragement for those individuals, and we salute
2the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who
3provide assistance to individuals affected by MS; these
4professionals continue to work to find ways to stop multiple
5sclerosis, to restore what has been lost due to MS, and to end
6MS forever.