Declaring March 2nd to March 8th, 2015 as "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week" in Philadelphia and acknowledging the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for their work to improve the lives of Philadelphians living with MS.

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, neurologic disease of the central nervous system in which an abnormal response of the body's immune system damages axons and destroys myelin, a fatty substance that protects the nerve fibers of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves; and

WHEREAS, MS is the most widespread neurologically debilitating disease in the world, affecting more than 2.3 million people globally and over 400,000 Americans, with more than 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS, The cause of MS is unknown and it is not inherited, but genetic factors appear to play a role in susceptibility to the disease and MS affects all races and ethnicities worldwide; and

WHEREAS, MS usually develops between the ages of 20 and 50, with an average age of about 30 and women are almost three times more likely to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis than men; and

WHEREAS, There is no cure for MS and effective treatment of MS relies on disease-modifying drugs and rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Greater Delaware Valley Chapter has been committed for more than 61 years to establishing a world free of MS through fundraising, heightening public knowledge about, and insight into the disease; and

WHEREAS, The funds raised by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society have funded nearly 300 research projects globally, totaling nearly 50.6 million dollars annually; and

WHEREAS, The organization is also committed to advocating for support services for MS related issues, including professional counseling and peer facilitated support groups, educational programs and seminars, referrals to neurologists and healthcare professionals, national teleconferences and internet programs, services for the homebound, and social and recreational programs to assist people with MS and their families to enable them to lead productive and fulfilling lives; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes the importance of finding the cause and cure of MS, a chronic and often devastating disease, and expresses its appreciation and admiration for the dedication that the National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Greater Delaware Valley Chapter has shown toward a future free of MS; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby declare March 2nd to March 8th 2015, as “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week” in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for their commitment to providing the public and those affected by multiple sclerosis with the tools they need to combat this disease.

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