On Tuesday, July 12th the National MS Society hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill for members and Congressional staff focusing on the importance of MS research. Minneapolis neurologist Dr. Jonathan Calkwood gave a presentation on current MS research efforts and highlighted that since 1946 the National MS Society has invested over $725 Million dollars on research. During a Q & A period Dr. Calkwood talked extensively about the shortage of neurologists in general, but that the shortage for neurologists who specialize in MS is an even bigger problem.
Congressional MS Caucus co-chairs, Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO-3) and Texas Congressman Michael Burgess, MD (TX-26), provided opening comments at the briefing. Ted Thompson, Vice President of Federal Government Relations, highlighted the Congressmen’s work noting that they are true legislative champions for people living with MS. Burgess and Carnahan were instrumental in the push for CDMRP funding.
Public Policy Office intern Channing Barker spoke at the briefing as well, providing the perspective of a young person living with MS and stressed how critical continued NIH and CDMRP research funding is for her and all people with MS.
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| Dr. Jonathan Calkwood shares the importance of MS Research |
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| Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Carnahan |
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| Caucus Co-Chain Congressman Burgess, MD. |
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| Congresman Carnahan, Channing Barker, Congressman Burgess MD., and Carrie Lamb |
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| Channing Barker shares her story of living with MS. |
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