Multiple Sclerosis has been having a destructive and pestilential effect on the world. Around 2.8 million people in the world have been diagnosed with MS and one million people in the US have also been diagnosed. These statistics were found according to research done by the National MS Society. These numbers were almost double the predicted amount. The need for a cure has also been doubled through these surprising data. The last national study for MS was conducted in 1975 and the numbers of MS patients were only half the amount. MS is a progressive disease which means its symptoms get worse over time. Every day, 300 people are diagnosed with MS throughout the globe. How are these numbers being managed? How is the world responding to the national increase in MS cases?
In early May, 2023, the first Pathway to Cures Global Summit was held in New York City. There were 200 active participants or extraordinary global leaders from 15 countries in attendance. The goal of this meeting was to convene on opportunities for collaboration to find cures for MS. There were a wide range of participants in this conference including doctors, major pharmaceutical companies, researchers, MS patients & MS organizations. In this meeting, the executive decision was made to revise and submit the Pathways to Cures Roadmap for publication, in Fall 2023. This Pathway defines stopping MS as reaching a point of stable “daily quality of life”. Pathways to Cures was created in 2022 and is filled with advice, research milestones, and important aspects from doctors and people with MS, all on track towards a cure. The role of this roadmap is to enhance research movements through strategic planning and partnership with more than 30 worldwide endorsers. In this meeting, the need for the involvement of MS patients on the path to a cure was discussed immensely. This global summit has opened up many occasions for the development of a cure for this disease that affects millions of people around the world.
On June 6th, 2023 the National MS Society released an article about the accelerated movement of research for cures for MS. It is documented and confirmed that MS organizations from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdoms, the United States, and the International MS Federation have banded together in search for a cure for MS. This decision was taken with the structure of the Pathways to Cure Roadmap which includes stopping MS, reversing MS damages, and preventing MS. This collaborative effort to cure MS through effective research around the world has created the opportunity to steer clear of research overlaps & gaps. President and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cyndi Zagieboylo, said, “Together is the best way forward.” With the supplemental inclusion of all major MS organizations worldwide, the future is looking even brighter with the matrix of magnificent minds. It is safe to say that development is happening in this worldwide community. People with MS can rest assured that there are whole teams of doctors, professionals, and researchers who are dedicated to curing the disease that affects their lives.
Works Cited
“Global Summit Reviews Advances and Opportunities for Strategic Collaborations to Speed Pathways to M.” National MS Society, 23 May 2023, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Global-Summit-Reviews-Advances-and-Opportunities-f. Accessed 13 June 2023.
“How Common is Multiple Sclerosis?” National MS Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Who-Gets-MS/How-Many-People. Accessed 13 June 2023.
Modglin, Lindsay. “Multiple sclerosis statistics 2023.” SingleCare, https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/multiple-sclerosis-statistics/. Accessed 13 June 2023.
“Multiple Sclerosis Organizations Commit to a Shared Global Research Strategy to Accelerate Cures for.” National MS Society, 6 June 2023, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/Multiple-Sclerosis-Organizations-Commit-to-a-Share. Accessed 13 June 2023.
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