What is Multiple
Sclerosis?
WHAT is Multiple Sclerosis?
 Multiple Sclerosis, commonly known as MS, is an autoimmune
disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Autoimmune disease – process in which the immune
system mistakenly attacks healthy nerve cells
Immune system – bodily system that usually helps fight
against disease and viruses
 MS disrupts the messages that start in your brain that tell your
body to do certain things. For example, your brain tells your
leg to lift up and forward to walk and YOU guys have no
problem doing that… but if you have MS the messages may be
cut off which will prohibit you from walking.
WHAT are the types and symptoms of MS?
 Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
85 % of the people with MS have this type.
In RRMS, people have “good” days
and “bad” days. This means that a
person may not show any symptoms
for weeks, then have a really bad
few weeks.
 Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)
This type is more rare. People that suffer from PPMS have no “good days” at
all. Their condition progressively gets worse and worse as time goes on.
WHAT are some of the symptoms?
These are symptoms… These are NOT symptoms…
1. Weakness and fatigue
2. PHYSICAL disabilities,
specifically having
trouble walking
3. Muscle Spasms
4. Joint stiffness
5. Pain
6. Vision Problems
**MS affects everyone is
different ways!
People that suffer
from Multiple
Sclerosis DO NOT have
any mental
disabilities!
WHO is
affected?
•Both Ms. Purcell’s
mom and Mr. McAndrews’
mom suffer from MS.
WHY do I need to know about MS?
About 2.5 million people worldwide have MS.
An estimated 400,000 people in the United
States have MS.
More than twice as many women as men
have MS.
***There are treatments to manage the
symptoms but there is currently
NO CURE FOR MS!!!
WHEN/WHERE can I help?
When:
Where:
Saturday, April 14th
Bowie Town Center
Check in at 8:30am!
Walk starts at 9:00am!
HOW can I sign up?
How can I raise money?
You will be receiving step by step directions
of how to sign-up!
We are team MLK COBRAS!
Raise $1 or $100…
anything will help find a cure!
MS Math Facts!
1. About 200 people are diagnosed with MS each week in the United
States. According to this statistic, how many people are diagnosed
each year?
Set up a proportion! (There are 52 weeks in one year.)
2. About 2.5 million people suffer from MS worldwide. Express this
number in scientific notation.
3. An estimated 400,000 people suffer from MS in the United States
and 2.5 million in the world. What percent of people with MS live in
the United States?
4. The MS walk is 5 kilometers long. How many miles is this? One
kilometer equals about 0.62 miles.
Any Questions???