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Around
2.5m people in the world have multiple sclerosis - including 85,000 in the UK -
it is more common in countries farther away from the equator
·
MS
is the most common, potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system
affecting young adults in the Western world
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Every
week, around 50 people in the UK are diagnosed with MS
·
Diagnosis
is usually between 20 and 40 years of age - rarely under 12 or over 55
·
Three
women have MS for every two men
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Prognosis
is uncertain - ranging from benign through 'coming and going' to severely
disabling
·
Common
symptoms include pain, deadening fatigue, sight problems, mobility and co-ordination
·
MS
is not hereditary - but there is a slightly higher chance of getting it if a
relative has it - and it is not contagious
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There
is no cure for MS but there are now drugs which can modify its course for some people
and many symptoms can be successfully treated or managed
·
MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) is giving neurologists better understanding of MS,
helping diagnosis and research into treatments
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The
MS Society is the UK’s largest charity for people affected by Multiple
Sclerosis (MS).
·
We
are a membership organisation but provide services to all.
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The
Society funds MS research, runs respite care centres, provides grants
(financial assistance), education and training on MS. It produces numerous publications
on MS and runs a freephone specialist Helpline.
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We
are committed to bringing high standards of quality health and social care
within reach of everyone affected by MS and to encourage and support medical
and applied research into its cause and control. We have a vision and mission
for action across the UK.
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With
a network of branches & regions across the UK, the Society has a National
Centre in London and national offices in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
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As
a charity we aim to support and relieve people affected by MS, to encourage
people affected by MS to attain their full potential by improving their
conditions of life, and to promote and publish results from research into MS
and allied conditions.
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The
MS Society was founded in 1953 and is governed by a voluntary Board of
Trustees.
·
Many
of the Trustees have direct experience of living with MS. The Board is
accountable to the Charity Commission and to its members.
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The
current Chief Executive is Mike O’Donovan. Find out more about him in our
interview.