Tester joins the fight against Multiple Sclerosis

Senator supports MS Awareness Week, calls for increased action

 

(U.S. SENATE) – With thousands of Montanans living with Multiple Sclerosis, Senator Jon Tester is fighting to raise awareness of the chronic and disabling disease.

 

Tester today cosponsored a bipartisan resolution declaring March 12 to 18 as “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.”  Multiple Sclerosis affects nearly half a million Americans, with women two to three times more likely to be afflicted, but symptoms often go undiagnosed.

 

“Multiple Sclerosis can be hard to detect,” Tester said.  “Educating more folks about its symptoms will allow them to get the help they deserve and help us find a cure for this terrible disease.” 

 

Multiple Sclerosis attacks the central nervous system, leading to symptoms ranging from numbness in the limbs to paralysis and difficulty with memory or thinking.  There is currently no cure, but medications and therapy can help.

 

Tester’s resolution affirms the country’s commitment to eradicating Multiple Sclerosis, encourages state and local governments to support Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, and pays tribute to health care professionals and researchers who work on Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Tester noted that in addition to disproportionately affecting women, Multiple Sclerosis affects higher numbers of veterans.  The VA provides health care to veterans with Multiple Sclerosis regardless of whether it is service-connected.

 

Numerous Montanans contacted Tester in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week resolution, including Paul Luwe from Bozeman and Deanna Turner from Billings who live with Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Tester’s bipartisan resolution is available online HERE.

 

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Tester to host Academy & ROTC Day on March 31 in Great Falls

 

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester will host an informational meeting for Montana high school students in Great Falls to discuss applying to military service academies and participating in ROTC.

 

Tester’s event will connect interested high school and middle school students with representatives from the five military service academies, the ROTC and the Senator’s staff.

 

The Great Falls event will be held Saturday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Building 64 of the Montana Air National Guard complex at 2800 Airport Avenue B.

 

Additional Academy Days will be held in Missoula on April 21 and in Billings on April 28.

 

Each year, Tester nominates Montana students for appointments to the five military service academies.  More information on applying can be found on Tester’s website.  

 

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Contact:          Andrea Helling or Dan Malessa – (202) 228-0371