May 08, 2008

National MS Society Names Congressman Russ Carnahan as Representative of the Year

Award Recognizes Fight for MS Research Funding, MS Caucus Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC—The National Multiple Sclerosis Society honored U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan of Missouri, 3rd Congressional District, today as its 2007 Representative of the Year. The award was presented at the Society’s annual gathering of MS activists in Washington, DC. This is the highest honor the Society awards to public officials.

“The Society applauds Congressman Carnahan for his work to benefit people living with multiple sclerosis, particularly his leadership of the MS Caucus, fighting for the advancement of MS research, and eliminating obstacles like the Medicare ‘in the home’ restriction,” Society President and CEO Joyce Nelson said. “His accomplishments are certainly deserving of the National MS Society’s 2007 Congressman of the Year.”

The Society’s Gateway Area Chapter in St. Louis and Mid America Chapter in Kansas City nominated Congressman Carnahan for the award, applauding recent efforts that have helped benefit people in Missouri and nationwide who live with multiple sclerosis. Among all members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Carnahan was selected as the member whose leadership and dedication to healthcare issues most significantly impacted the lives of people with MS during the year.

“It has been a privilege working with The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I have been continually impressed by the devotion and talent of so many individuals’ work to eradicate MS. I am truly honored to be recognized by such a worthwhile organization. Together we can continue to raise awareness and fund research so that those who suffer with MS and those who love them will live to see a cure,” Congressman Russ Carnahan said.

Congressman Carnahan is recognized for many accomplishments, including:

• Serving to co-chair the new Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus in the House of Representatives.
• Spearheading the effort to secure federal funding for MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs in the Department of Defense.
• Being an outspoken proponent of stem cell research as demonstrated by his co-sponsorship of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.
• Co-sponsoring the Medicare Independent Living Act to help eliminate the Medicare “in the home” restriction.

For more information on the Missouri chapters of the Society and Missouri programs for people living with MS, visit:www.nationalMSsociety.org/chapter

For more information on Congressman Carnahan’s initiatives, visit:www.carnahan.house.gov

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. We help each person address the challenges of living with MS. In 2006 alone, through our home office and 50-state network of chapters, we devoted nearly $126 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested more than $46 million to support 380 research projects around the world. We are people who want to do something about MS now.

Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy may reduce future disease activity for many people with multiple sclerosis. Talk to your health care professional and contact the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867 to learn about ways to help manage multiple sclerosis and about current research that may one day reveal a cure.