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STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH 10, 2024 TO
MARCH 16, 2024 AS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AWARENESS
WEEK
WHEREAS, multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease of the central nervous system
affecting more than 2,800,000 people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society estimates that nearly 1,000,000
people in the United States are living with multiple sclerosis, finds that the highest prevalence
rates in the United States are found in the New England region and reports that the disease
generally strikes people between the ages of 20 and 50 and that the cause and course of the
often debilitating symptoms of multiple sclerosis remain unknown with no cure currently
existing; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been committed for more than
78 years to a world free of multiple sclerosis, and the society raises public knowledge about
and insight into the disease; and
WHEREAS, since its inception, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has been at the
forefront of multiple sclerosis research, pursuing prevention, treatments and a cure, with more
than $1.2 billion invested in groundbreaking research; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society partners with the health care
community to promote access to comprehensive, high-quality health care and has launched the
careers of 120 multiple sclerosis specialists, providing care to more than 100,000 people with
multiple sclerosis and greatly improving the treatment and support of people with multiple
sclerosis; and
WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society provides multiple sclerosis patients
access to MS Navigators, who are dedicated partners who address individual challenges and
concerns, ensuring personalized and effective support for every patient affected by multiple
sclerosis; and
WHEREAS, stopping the progress of multiple sclerosis, restoring what has been lost and
ending multiple sclerosis forever is the mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and
one that all should support; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Legislature now
assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this
opportunity to recognize March 10, 2024 to March 16, 2024 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
Week and encourage all Maine citizens to learn more about multiple sclerosis and what they
can do to support people with multiple sclerosis and their families; and be it further
RESOLVED: That we recognize the critical importance of advancing research to find the
cause and cure of multiple sclerosis and express our appreciation for the dedication that the Page 2 - 131LR3151(01)
Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has shown toward
creating a world free of multiple sclerosis; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary
of State, be transmitted to the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis
Society.