Letter to the Editor - Spread MS awareness in Morgantown

To the editor:

I live in the Morgantown Region as a West Virginia University student and I am one of millions of people who have connected to end multiple sclerosis. I'm writing you to ask for your help in changing the lives of people living with MS in this community and across the country by publishing the following letter.

Every hour someone is newly diagnosed with MS, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, for which there is as yet no cure. Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. Thanks to growing collaboration around the world, however, there are improved treatments leading to enhanced quality of life for people with MS.

MS divides minds from bodies, pulls people from their lives and away from one another. MS is a destroyer of connection. But what if we could forge connections that MS couldn't destroy? We could give knowledge, raise questions, find answers and provide hope that could connect enough small victories to win some really one ones which would lead to the end of MS.

I know the effects of MS; I have MS.

Beginning with MS Awareness Week March 12- 18, I encourage people to connect, as there is no more powerful way to end MS. It's easy to get involved, visit www.MSconnection.org . It only takes a few minutes to make a difference in the lives of the millions of people worldwide who live with this disease.

Being involved with the Blue Ridge Chapter has given me wonderful opportunities as a student and as a woman with MS. I'm excited to help spread the word to create a world free of MS. The MS Walk Fairmont will really measure the amount of people that we've reach. Anyone can register for the walk at www.walkMSfairmont.com.

Sincerely,

Natalie Doerr, senior public relations student