Encourage your Senators to Support a New Source of MS Research Funding

My name is Paul Perrone and I am a 42-year-old retired United States Air Force Sergeant and Gulf War Veteran. Also known as the author of the book, Toy Soldier: Sergeant Perrone's Story, and an advocate, the most important title I hold is daddy to a beautiful three-year-old boy we call, PJ. Oh, by the way I also have multiple sclerosis.

The symptoms of MS came on within a month after my return from Saudi Arabia in April of 1991. Finally, after seven years of uncertainty and many medical tests and procedures I received the diagnosis. Already retired from the military for chronic fatigue since 1992, advocating on behalf of other ailing war veterans became an important part of the way I spent many hours, which turned into days, which turned into weeks, and then years.

Help other veterans and me by joining the movement.

- Sergeant Paul Perrone

Click here and enter your ZIP code to send a quick email to your Senators. Ask them to encourage the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee to include $15 million for MS research in their Department of Defense appropriations bill. The time to act is now.

This new source of federal funding for MS research through the Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense could soon be available. All summer you worked hard to persuade your U.S. Representative to support this funding. Now the issue needs Senate support.

The Senate is at a critical point in deciding on the $15 million federal appropriation for MS research at the CDMRP. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense is currently working on their bill, and it could be completed and voted on by the second week in September. In an attempt to help persuade the Subcommittee to include the MS research funding, we ask you to send a quick email to your Senators today. If your Senator is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, they could be even more effective in helping advance this issue.

You have a unique opportunity to help encourage their support before a decision is made the second week of September. The Department of Defense has a responsibility to identify and research all diseases that could be related to military service, including MS. Thank you for being an MS activist.