Colin A. Wilkinson

The Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society (AISM) is the only organization in Italy that addresses every aspect of multiple sclerosis (MS), through advocating for the rights of people with MS and providing services and through orienting, promoting, and financing scientific research. MS is among the most common major diseases of the central nervous system. It is chronic, unpredictable, progressive and can lead to serious disability. MS is diagnosed in young adulthood, typically between 20 and 40 years of age and women are diagnosed nearly three times as often as men. The type and severity of symptoms as well as the disease course varies from one person to another. In Italy there is a person diagnosed with MS every 3 hours. AISM was founded in 1968 with the objective of advocating for the rights of people with MS, and over time has become the principle resource not only for people with MS, but for families, healthcare professionals and anyone involved in the fight against this disease. In order to assure that PEOPLE with MS can achieve their life goals, our responsibility is to provide accessible information, support and services to every person with MS and his or her family. We strive to achieve this every day, through the MS Society’s network of 98 local branches and regional coordinating centers present throughout Italy, and with over 13,000 volunteers. This coordinated effort guarantees that no person with MS is alone in facing their disease, but rather can find the answers they need through the MS Society. Promoting individual empowerment of the person at every stage of life and throughout the disease course is achieved through a personalized approach that considers, above all, the individual’s autonomy, life goals and rights. The MS Society’s commitment to RESEARCH focuses on identifying effective therapies and treatment, slowing the progression of the disease, and one day finding a definitive cure.