Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
The National MS Society’s mission is that ‘People affected by MS can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever’. The National MS Society was founded in 1946 by Sylvia Lowry, whose brother had multiple sclerosis, and her passion for MS research continues within the National MS Society today. The 2019-2021 Strategic Plan outlines key impacts, strategies and accelerators around areas of research, healthcare, empowerment and resources, connections and support as we strive to meet our mission.
Key Statistics: Research & Support
There are nearly 1 million people living with MS in the United States, 549,940 of which are connected to the National MS Society for resources, services and support to help people live their best lives. The Society is working to deliver breakthroughs to a cure and has funded $1.06 Billion in MS research to date. Research initiatives are focused on stopping disease progression, restoring what has been lost and ending MS forever.
In 2020, survey results showed 79% of people with MS who received services from the Society felt more confident in addressing challenges of MS. Additionally, 859 people were supported by our Edward M. Dowd Case Management Program and 75% of them indicated that the Society is a source of support where they can find solutions. To meet our mission, the Society seeks to empower people to solve everyday challenges and provides services to all people living with MS, family members, caregivers, healthcare providers and researchers.
Programs & Initiatives
Programs are available for multiple populations, including but not limited to newly diagnosed, pediatric-onset MS, veterans, Spanish speakers and the Black population. The emergence of COVID-19 necessitated increasing virtual program offerings, including our Ask an MS Expert program, which is a weekly live webinar for people living with MS on a variety of trending topics featuring expert guest speakers. The first Black MS Experience Summit was hosted in 2020 and offered opportunities to connect with others and learn from scientific and healthcare experts.
Multiple emotional support programs are available, including one-on-one peer connections, support groups and MS Friends®, a telephone helpline with volunteers who are living with MS. The flagship program of the National MS Society is the MS Navigator® program, which provides individualized one-on-one telephone support to the MS community around topics such as information and education, emotional support resources, finding a healthcare provider, exploring benefits and insurance and resources to face financial challenges. The MS Navigators act as a supportive partner to help people with MS, their friends and family members move their lives forward.
Our programs and the research we support help inform our advocacy initiatives in the areas of health insurance and healthcare costs, research funding, caregiver support and home modification policies. We coordinate these efforts and speak with one clear voice to advocate for policies and programs that benefit the MS community.
Leadership
Andrea Arzt, LCSW, MSCS, Director, Healthcare Provider Engagement:
“Being a part of the National MS Society movement working with staff, healthcare providers and people living with MS to improve access to knowledgeable and appropriate mental health care for individuals and family members affected by MS, no matter where they live or their means to pay, has been a part of my individual mission since coming to work at the National MS Society 18 years ago. It remains my passion and my joy professionally and personally.”
“One way that the Society works to meet our mission is to ensure that comprehensive, high quality healthcare is available to all people with MS. Success will mean that we have advanced legislation, health policy and provided greater access to a knowledgeable healthcare professional workforce. This includes psychiatrists and therapists available to meet the mental health needs of people living with MS.”
Future Work
The National MS Society is focused on continuing to expand resources and reach in the form of virtual programs and events to bring information and support to a larger, more diverse audience. The Society is also strengthening strategic partnerships with other MS organizations and volunteers to increase our connections, communication and coordination to more efficiently serve the MS community, while continuing to accelerate research to deliver breakthroughs to a cure.
How to Support the National MS Society
Mental health professionals can connect to the National MS Society and sign up to receive updates through our Professional Resource Center Contact Us form.
Individuals looking to make a financial donation can do so here, and volunteer opportunities can be found here. The general public or people who are members of the MS community can sign up for updates by calling 1-800-344-4867 or through our general Contact Us form.
People looking to become involved in our advocacy program and work with elected officials on behalf of the MS community can learn more here about the MS Activist Network.
