2017 MS CDMRP

I sent the following email message to Congressman Tim Murphy (PA 18) today:

As an MS activist and your constituent, I urge you to join Representatives Michael C. Burgess, MD, (TX-26) and Tony Cardenas (CA-29) in requesting that the Multiple Sclerosis Congressional Directed Medical Research Program (MS CDMRP) be funded at $10 million in fiscal year 2017.

The peer-reviewed MS CDMRP funds innovative research that is complementary to that conducted by the NIH. MS research has the potential to help all people living with MS, including the more than 23,000 veterans who are treated for MS through the VA health system. A 2003 study in the Annals of Neurology identified 5,345 cases of MS among U.S. veterans that were deemed "service-connected." An advisory committee commissioned by the VA has recommended further study into the potential link between combat service and increased risk of developing MS.

Ninety-four bipartisan Representatives signed on to a FY 2016 Dear Colleague letter supporting $10 million for the MS CDMRP in FY 2016. In the final FY 2016 budget, the MS CDMRP received $6 million. More funding is needed--as less than 15% of research applications submitted to the MS CDMRP were able to be funded on average between FY 2009-2014.

I am a Vietnam Veteran. I had my first symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis 7-8 years after my discharge. I question why there was a significant increase of MS diagnosis in Kuwait after the first Gulf War. Something happened. What was it?

Please support funding the Multiple Sclerosis Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program at $10 million in fiscal year 2017 by signing on to the Reps. Burgess-Cardenas Dear Colleague letter. To sign on, please contact James Decker in Congressman Burgess's office at James.Decker@mail.house.gov or Jacky Usyk in Congressman Tony Cárdenas' office at Jacqueline.Usyk@mail.house.gov by COB on Thursday, March 10, 2016.

Sincerely,