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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

 

 

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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
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, and the progress, severity,
10and specific 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
 

 

 

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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, In 2012, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
6was a founding member of the International Progressive MS
7Alliance, which coordinates research to accelerate the
8development of treatments for progressive MS by removing
9international scientific and technological barriers and, as of
102018, includes 17 MS organizations from 17 countries, nine
11foundation and trust members, and seven pharmaceutical
12partners; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Multiple Sclerosis Coalition recognizes and
14supports Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day during
15March of every calendar year; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The goals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week
17and Day are to invite people to join the movement to end MS, to
18encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate a commitment
19to moving toward a world free of MS, and to acknowledge those
20who have dedicated time and talent to help promote MS research
21and programs; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Building awareness is a year-round effort, and MS
2Awareness Week and Day serve as a platform for everyone
3affected by MS across the country to share strategies and
4experiences to live their best lives in the belief that
5together we are stronger; and
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
7HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
8we declare the week of March 10 through March 17, 2021 as
9Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and we declare
10March 19, 2021 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day;
11and be it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That we support the goals and ideals of Multiple
13Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day and encourage municipalities
14to support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis
15Awareness Week and Day by issuing proclamations designating
16Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we encourage media organizations to
18participate in Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day to
19help provide education to the public about multiple sclerosis;
20and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we encourage residents to help ensure that
22more people understand what life with MS can be like by sharing

 

 

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