Multiple Sclerosis can be a ticking time bomb with around 100,000 people in the UK being affected by this disease. As Janis Winehouse, Amy’s mother, suffers with multiple sclerosis, so the work of the MS Society has always been a cause particularly close to the family’s hearts.
This week marks MS Awareness Week which hopes to raise public awareness of this condition and encourage research and funding. Run by the MS society, this organisation funds research as well as providing information and support to those with MS, they also invest money in specialists so people receive the best care.
Unlike many other illnesses, this is not something that is simply caught and treated. It is a neurological condition, which affect the nerves and muscular ability. The symptoms of MS may be managed with medication, but the condition itself is incurable. Despite all the progressive research, the cause of this condition is still unknown. Some research suggests that it may be viral or that genetic history may be a contributing factor.
Last April we funded £10,000 towards a major study of Children and Young People with MS and £10,000 towards short breaks grants for young people with MS and their families, as well as young carers with a parent with MS.
A year in we have received some feedback from the MS Society on how the funded projects are going.
The Foundation’s funding of grants for young people who have MS has enabled us to offer this support for the first time. As well as supporting a family affected by MS in this way, we have been able to learn more about the needs of this group and how to connect with them. We will continue to promote this opportunity via appropriate channels and keep you informed of progress.
The Foundation’s funding of the first major study into childhood MS, led by Dr Evangeline Wassmer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, has already led to ground-breaking results which have attracted media attention. We look forward to reporting on further outcomes of this long-term project and how it will lead to improvements in care for children diagnosed with MS.
Join us in raising awareness this week.
If you would like to know more please visit http://www.mssociety.org.uk/
