Reader seeks to raise awareness of MS
My name is Alex Saunders, and I’m a Beacon Hill resident. This April, I’m going to be running the London Marathon with the MS-UK charity team.
I wanted to use this opportunity to tell you a bit about multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a degenerative disease that affects over 2.3 million people worldwide. MS causes the loss of myelin in the central nervous system, which disrupts the ability of nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain.
The cause of MS is unknown, and the progression of the disease can be unpredictable. Folks with MS experience a wide range of symptoms, such as vision loss, tremors, trouble walking, slurred speech, memory loss, anxiety and mood swings, and more. Over 400,000 Americans are affected by MS, and about 20,000 people die from MS each year. MS is the most widespread disabling neurological condition of young adults in the world, and is typically diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 50.
There is no known cure for MS at this time, though medications can help slow the progression of the disease and manage symptoms. By supporting organizations like MS-UK, you can help researchers find a cure for MS.
MS-UK is a national charity dedicated to MS research and improving the lives of people with MS. I’m really excited to be a part of the team, and to be running my first marathon! If you would like to learn more about MS or MS-UK, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Additionally, I have a fundraising page on Virgin Money Giving, and would greatly appreciate donations. My page can be found at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlexSaunders
Alex Saunders