Amazing progress has been made over the last twenty years toward better understanding MS and in developing effective MS therapies. Over the past few years, $20 million has been allocated to MS research through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Congress first allocated a distinct funding stream for MS research in the CDMRP in Fiscal Year 2009 in response to MS activists’ impressive advocacy. Please take a few minutes today to email your Senators to help ensure the continuation of this vital research funding.
The CDMRP funds high-risk, high-reward research that complements the important basic research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The CDMRP is also peer reviewed—which means that people active in the MS research community gauge the merits of research applications and help to determine which projects get funded. Peer reviewers for the MS-related applications include people living with MS.
To promote continued research innovation and momentum, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Mike Johanns (NE) have circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter on Capitol Hill. This letter will be sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee that decides how much funding this particular program receives so the more support, the better. Click here to email your Senators and ask them to indicate their support for MS research funding by signing this Dear Colleague letter.
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