In 2006, the National MS Society established a nationwide network of six Pediatric MS Centers of Excellence to provide comprehensive evaluation and care to children and teens (up to age 18) with MS, and other related central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disorders. The centers were selected (through a peer review process) on the basis of having multidisciplinary teams of adult and child specialists; ties to an adult MS center; staff to evaluate and address school and other psycho-social issues; support for families; and the ability to work collaboratively with other institutions in the network.

The centers are working together to:

• Improve evaluation and management strategies to enhance diagnosis and care of children with MS and other related disorders
• Develop resources for families, health care professionals and the public
• Collect data that will enable large scale research initiatives

Families now have Society-supported resources for evaluation, diagnosis, medical care and support. A child does not need to have a definite diagnosis of MS to be evaluated at one of these sites. Children with symptoms suggestive of any CNS demyelinating disorder will be seen.

A priority of this network is to provide comprehensive care to children with central nervous system demyelinating conditions, regardless of ability to pay. Financial assistance is also available for travel and accommodation according to need.

The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services that help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. In 2007 alone, through its national office and 50 state network of chapters, the Society devoted over $136 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives. To help move closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested over $50 million to support 440 research projects around the world. Further information about the National MS Society is available on its Web site at www.nationalmssociety.org

People interested in more information on multiple sclerosis (either pediatric-onset or adult-onset) may contact Arney Rosenblat at (212) 476-0436 or by e-mail at arney.rosenblat@nmss.org.