Proclaiming March of 2026 to Be "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, affecting approximately one million individuals in the United States. Approximately 10,000 new cases of Multiple Sclerosis are diagnosed in the United States each year, and the disease is more prevalent in women than men; and

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis causes damage to the central nervous system when overactive immune cells attack myelin, the protective covering of nerve fibers, resulting in inflammation which, over time, causes lesions that harden into scar tissue, known as "sclerosis"; and

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis is characterized by unpredictable symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, weakness, cognitive impairments such as optic neuritis and mobility challenges, which often lead to significant disability; and

WHEREAS, While there are a variety of treatments available to slow the progression of Multiple Sclerosis, there are currently no treatments that can stop or reverse the damage caused by the disease. Damage to the central nervous system can occur even before an individual experiences symptoms, therefore the best chance to reduce long-term disability is during the early phase of the disease. Early and accurate diagnosis gives individuals the best chance of living a normal or near-normal life; and

WHEREAS, Increased awareness of Multiple Sclerosis can promote understanding, support, and access to resources for those living with the disease, as well as encourage advancements in research, treatment, and quality-of-life initiatives; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island has the second-highest rate of Multiple Sclerosis in the United States, behind only Washington, D.C., with a rate of approximately 36 cases per 10,000 residents, significantly higher than the national average; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims March of 2026 to be "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.