Two questions I often hear from people living with multiple sclerosis are “Why does research take so long ?” and “How close are we to finding effective treatments for progressive MS?” These two questions are reflected in the MS Society’s top priorities in research – acceleration of the pace of research and research in progressive MS – and shape the roadmap that guides the MS Society’s strategic plan.
In this installment of a video series that follows up on the launch of the MS Society’s Strategic Plan 2014-2018, Action to end MS, I provide some perspective on how the MS Society is moving forward with initiatives to address these research priorities and bring us closer to finding a cure for MS.
We also hear from Jonathan Allenger, a father who was recently diagnosed with MS shortly before the birth of his son, who shares his story about how MS affects his life and what MS research means to him. To Jonathan, the unrelenting push for advances in MS research sustains his hope that he will be able to play ball with his son and watch him grow up, free from any limitations that might be brought on by the disease.
In Part 1: Acceleration of MS research, we discuss how the MS Society is bringing important research breakthroughs in MS from the bench to the bedside where they have the greatest impact for people living with MS, and why it is so important that we do so.
Stay tuned for part two when I look further into the steps we at the MS Society of Canada are taking to find answers for progressive MS.