St. Patrick and MS

March is Irish American Month. More specifically, today is St. Patrick's Day, a celebration of all things Irish.

What does that have to do with MS?

Ireland has the highest percentage of population with MS -- by far. When Garry was working with MSIF statistics of reported MS, he found Ireland had the highest numbers of all 60 or so countries. Almost twice the UK. More than twice the US.

He wonders why. So do I.

What Does MS Look Like?

Joyce Tennyson has always believed that art should change the world. Her new photography exhibit currently in Rome called The Image of MS is a collection of portraits of MSers. She hopes her work will challenge public perceptions and encourage the newly diagnosed to seek treatment.

Tennyson was named Fine Art Photographer of the Year 2005 by The Lucie Awards and was voted among the 10 most influential women in the history of photography by readers of the American Photo Magazine.

What's New in MS Research?

When I was diagnosed in 1989, there was no effective treatment for MS. So much has changed; there are several approved treatments and the research continues to find more options. In the last several weeks, I have read about many new possibilities, including the following:

• Danish and Belgian researchers have found a computer key that may help discover more about diseases including MS.
• This month, a two year study begins exploring estriol as a treatment. Estriol has been identified as the hormone that suppresses MS symptoms during pregnancy.
• Vaccinex is commercializing a novel antibody that represents a new targeted therapy for MS.
• Enkorten, a drug developed in Bosnia, has successfully completed the first phase of clinical trials. It is the first patented drug from Bosnia for MS treatment.
• Tysabri continues to be tested as a disease-modifying treatment in view of the potential risks.
• Scientists have discovered the process used by the body to clean up damaged nerve tissue and they think this clean up process could have important implications in myelin regeneration.
• A new drug, revimmune, has been found to improve function and stop progression. Based on a follow-up, most MSers have improved movement.
• A study has found marijuana to be a wonder drug for MSers as well as other pain-causing diseases.
• BioMS is expanding its treatment options, focusing on secondary progressive MS.

This has been an exciting time for MS research, and I'm sure there are more exciting programs around the world. Wow. Sounds like hope to me.

Advocacy -- We Need It Now

Congress is working on fiscal year 2008 funding for the National Institutes of Health. A call from you can help impact that funding and result in an increase.

Do you ever wonder if individual calls really make a difference? Look at the National MS Society page on government advocacy. You will see you are not alone if you join the MS Activist Network.

There are articles on hot issues and about MS activists at work.

Make Your Mark on the Wall

This is really neat. Now make your mark and add it to the wall. I practiced with the marker, but have not yet decided what to do. What have others done?

Look at the Wall to see how our fellow MSers have left their mark in the movement to eradicate MS. There are 25 marks on each page; so far, 716. You can page through the marks or go directly to a member's mark, and see the marker drawing their mark.

Finally, a chance to have some fun with MS!

MS Awareness

The MS Awareness Foundation has two major goals in its mission to provide a rewarding lifestyle experience for MSers.

First is educating the public, especially MSers, their family and friends. They concentrate on dispelling myths, focusing on diagnosis and treatment. They present techniques for accepting the diagnosis as well as coping techniques.

The second goal seems to be providing information on an exercise program, for sale in a video and DVD format.

The web site provides details on MS diagnosis, MS symptoms, and targeted exercises developed specifically for MSers. There are links to organizations in the US and the UK.

MS Awareness Week

MS Awareness Week begins tomorrow. Show your support by joining the movement.

Voices of Multiple Sclerosis

A New York breast cancer survivor, Debra LaChance, has created The Healing Project. This is a non-profit dedicated to inspiring individuals with serious illnesses. The first project involves a series of anthologies called "Voices of . . . " and one focus is Multiple Sclerosis. Others are planned for Alzheimer's, lung cancer, alcoholism, and more.

The Healing Project is seeking stories from and about people living with life-changing illnesses. Stories must be informative, and it is important they offer comfort, hope, and encouragement. Book sales, donations, grants, and sponsorship will go toward supporting individuals and charitable organizations.

The first books are scheduled to be published next year. If you have a story or would like to help, visit The Healing Project.

Who Has MS and Where Are They?

My favorite upright Garry has been looking at visualization tools and he made some charts to show the number of people worldwide by country. He used figures provided by MSIF. For MS Awareness Month, I thought we should share his charts.

The first visualization is a world map showing the rate of MS by country population. Compare Garry's map with the Atlas of MS on the MSIF site.





The second visualization is the same information above in the form of a tree map.





Check his web site, Garry's Blog for more.

Garry used IBM's Many Eyes to create these visualizations. To have a closer look, visit here. While on that page, click on the data file to see the actual numbers provided. There were many instances where there was no information reported.

Thank you, Garry, for helping us become aware of the fact that there are so many MSers in so many places. We are not alone.

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Lights, Camera, Action!

March is National MS Education & Awareness Month.

The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation is promoting awareness by offering three international teleconferences and two webchats as well as regional events. Teleconferences include a discussion of the daily ups and downs, practical strategies for daily life, and exercise to combat fatigue and mobility limitations. Webchats offer hope for depression and an open chat with MSers around the world.

They have put together a special MS Awareness Kit with educational literature created especially for MSers, family and caregivers. Just send an email or call 888-MSFOCUS (673-6287) to request your kit. It is FREE!

technorati tags: msawarenesseducationmonth, ms, multiplesclerosis, msf, multiplesclerosisfoundation, msteleconference, mswebchat, freemsliterature, depression, exercise, ms, multiplesclerosis, downthemspath