About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S., and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2007 alone, through our home office and 50 state network of chapters, we devoted over $136 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested over $50 million to support 440 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS NOW. Join the movement at www.nationalmssociety.org.

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).

About the Pacific South Coast Chapter
The Pacific South Coast Chapter provides programs and services for the 18,000 people affected by MS in Orange, San Diego and Imperial counties and funds critical research looking for the cause and cure of MS. Seventy-five percent of the funds we raise come from special events like Walk MS, Challenge Walk MS and Bike MS. Our expenses:

• 49% of the funds we raise support local programs and services for people living with MS and others affected by MS including their families, professionals and more.

     *Emotional: newly diagnosed programs, professionally-led and self-help groups, counseling and visitation

     *Wellness: aquatic and specialized exercise, medical clinics

     *Direct: medical equipment loan, financial assistance, transportation assistance

     *Family & Social: caregiver support, holiday and family events, respite care

     *Education & Advocacy: outreach, community and professional education, information, referral, research updates

     *Independence: care management, employment resources, financial planning

• 34% of the funds we raise go to our National organization to fund research. Annually, nearly $4 million in MS research projects are funded at local institutions including the Scripps Research Institute, the University of California at San Diego, the University of California at Irvine and the Burnham Institute.

• 17% of the funds we raise go to fundraising and administrative costs.