Indiana observes MS Awareness Week

The Indiana State Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society celebrates MS Awareness Week from March 2 to 8, coinciding with National Disabilities Month.

MS Awareness Week takes place one week before the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Public Policy Conference, during which four Indiana residents will meet with lawmakers in Washington to discuss issues surrounding the disease.

Christine Degliumberto, team manager for the Indiana chapter, said the week’s goal is to inform the community about the illness.

“We just really want to let those that have MS know that they are not alone,” she said. “The most important thing is that we let people know that they have support.”

Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system that restricts movement and often causes disability, affects more than 10,000 Hoosiers.

“For every client with MS, it’s estimated that seven people are affected,” Degliumberto said. “It’s amazing how many people have a connection with this illness.”

Representatives from the Indiana State Chapter came to Monument Circle in Indianapolis on Monday to answer questions about multiple sclerosis.

The group encouraged people to register for eight fundraising walks and biking events held throughout the state in the spring. Gina Farrar, donor relations manager for the Indiana State Chapter, said the group’s goal is to raise more than $1 million to support multiple sclerosis research and services provided to clients in Indiana.

“The vast amount of money stays in Indiana for our services,” she said.

Some of their services include self-help groups for both caregivers and people with multiple sclerosis.

“It’s a great way for socialization, where people with MS can get out of the house and meet people with similar issues,” Farrar said.

The money for research goes toward the society’s national funds, which look into ending the disease’s effects.

“Because we’re getting so close to a cure, a lot of people want to help fund research,” Farrar said.

Mindy Sparling, Community Development Director of the Indiana State Chapter, will be one of the four Indiana residents attending the Washington conference next week.

One of the issues the group will address is setting up a multiple sclerosis registry – an accurate report of the number of people in the United States with the disease. The goals of the registry are to link the disease with environmental factors and increase awareness of available services.

“Right now, they’re not required to be reported,” she said. “We only guess how many people have it.”

Last year, the group received $5 million from the Department of Defense to fund multiple sclerosis research. Sparling said that because first lady Michelle Obama’s late father had the disease, the group hopes to receive support from legislators.

“This is really a pivotal point in our government to have this meeting,” she said.