The impact of Hurricane Sandy to the residents of the mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, and Midwestern United States has been devastating. MSAA’s staff is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life as well as the destruction of personal possessions, homes, and businesses, caused by this storm.

Recent studies continue to affirm the safety of vaccinations for people with MS. An evaluation of several reports and trial outcomes by the US Penitentiary Health Services Unit in Terre […]

Updated: September 17, 2012

On September 12, 2012, Sanofi and its subsidiary Genzyme announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved their new drug, Aubagio® (oral teriflunomide), for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The FDA had accepted their New Drug Application (NDA) in October, 2011.

The Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) annual meeting provides a unique opportunity for MS professionals to come together in an interdisciplinary setting to discuss all aspects of MS care. Attendees include physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other MS professionals. Topics are wide-ranging, from the latest advances in research and symptom management, to practical workshops designed to improve hands-on care.

On June 28, 2012 a historic decision was made by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA was originally approved by Congress and was then signed into law on March 23, 2010. The law was designed to make many changes to the way the healthcare and insurance systems work in the United States, with most of the scheduled changes requested to be implemented within a four-year period, or by the end of 2014.

This year’s American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting was especially exciting for multiple sclerosis (MS) clinicians and researchers. Results were presented from clinical trials that have been ongoing for the past three-to-four years, many of which focus on the "new generation" of oral drugs for managing MS progression. Studies have looked at the effectiveness and safety of the new agents, particularly as compared to the standard injectible drugs that became available starting in the early 1990’s. Data on these new agents have been released gradually as the studies progressed through the clinical trials process, and anticipation of the details from completed studies has been building.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA) is proud to offer volunteers the opportunity to dive into action through the Swim for MS Pool Party. An offshoot of MSAA’s popular Swim for MS program, the Pool Party is a one-day event volunteers host in their own backyard or community pool. To begin to plan their Swim for MS Pool Party, volunteers first select a date, then select an activity – such as cannonballs, swimming laps or even a game of Marco Polo – and finally collect pledges from friends and family for the activity chosen. It’s as easy as 1-2-3!