Yale MS Clinic Receives Grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Two local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-the Greater Connecticut Chapter and the Western Connecticut Chapter-jointly awarded a grant of nearly $50,000 to support the efforts of the Yale Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in providing expert care to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients living in Connecticut.

Two local chapters of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-the Greater Connecticut Chapter and the Western Connecticut Chapter-jointly awarded a grant of nearly $50,000 to support the efforts of the Yale Multiple Sclerosis Clinic in providing expert care to multiple sclerosis (MS) patients living in Connecticut.

More than 1.4 million people worldwide and approximately 5000 people in Connecticut have MS, a crippling neurological disease resulting from damage to myelin insulation that surrounds nerve fibers, and to nerve fibers themselves. There is currently no cure for MS. Existing medications and treatments help manage symptoms, slow down or modify disease progression.

As part of their mission, both the National MS Society (NMSS) and the Yale MS Clinic are committed to expert care of patients at all stages of MS as well as to research toward an ultimate cure for MS. The grant from NMSS has been designated to support addition of a nurse practitioner to the Yale MS program, with the primary goal of providing patients improved access to services at the Yale MS Clinic in a timely and effective manner.

“We and our patients are facing the challenges of a complex disease that involves many body systems and affects all aspects of patients’ lives, ability to work, enjoy life and sadly, in many cases, to receive medical care,” said Jana Preiningerova, M.D., assistant professor of neurology. “National MS Society support for the nurse has contributed to the care of MS patients in a critical way. We are proud of providing care to as many patients in need as possible, regardless of their economic status, and we are proud of the partnership with the NMSS.

Commenting on this gift, Stephen G. Waxman, M.D., chairman of the Department of Neurology noted that “We will ultimately cure MS but, even prior to that, there is much that can be done today to help people with MS. We are committed to both goals at Yale. By partnering with the MS clinic at Yale, the Greater Connecticut and Western Connecticut Chapters of the National MS Society are helping to insure that the resources are available to help as many people as possible.”

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