Our Mission

Our mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.

The National MS Society, Greater Northwest Chapter educates, inspires and empowers those affected by multiple sclerosis. We break down barriers - both physical and emotional - in the home, in the workplace and in the community. We build confidence that people with MS can live the best possible lives as individuals, as family members, as employees and as members of the larger community. No other local MS organization provides the breadth and depth of services or involves more people in the movement to bring about a world free of MS.

The Greater Washington Chapter, the Alaska and Montana Divisions of the All America Chapter came together as one chapter in 2010. Headquartered in Seattle, the chapter serves over 12,000 people living with MS and more than 72,000 others including friends, caregivers and health care professionals throughout Montana, Alaska and in 23 counties in Western and Central Washington.

Where does the money go?

As efficient, effective stewards of our donors’ contributions, we make sure that more than 79 cents out of every dollar we raise goes directly to improve the lives of people living with MS through programs, services and research. Approximately 18 cents of each dollar is spent on administration and fundraising - a ratio that is far better than the average of other successful nonprofit organizations. In addition, another 3% is placed in our Chapter reserves to provide for future unanticipated needs. The donors’ generous contributions in the Washington, Montana and Alaska communities we serve help their local friends and neighbors affected by MS by:

• Supporting research and training projects aimed at finding the cause of MS, better treatments and a cure.
• Informing and educating people with MS about a variety of issues through newsletters, publications, education seminars and conferences, and at-home teleconferences.
• Providing direct support and financial assistance for the FDA-approved medications, medical equipment, counseling services, respite, care management, college scholarships, and other emergency assistance.
• Supporting emotional health through a network of self-help groups, a peer support telephone program, six-week wellness programs, wellness grants, exercise classes, a women's wellness retreat, and more!
• Reconnecting families affected by MS by coordinating family and social programs, a couples retreat, a kids camp and other family support programs.
• Stimulating changes in public policy by coordinating a statewide Government Relations Committee and providing training and support to our constituents about issues impacting people with MS.

Join the Movement

Every hour in the United States someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men diagnosed with the disease. There is no cure, and MS affects more than 400,000 people in the US and 2.5 million worldwide.

The National MS Society is a collective of passionate individuals who want to do something about MS ... NOW. Together, we are the MS movement.

• We are a driving force of MS research and treatment to stop disease progression, restore function, and end MS forever.
• We develop, deliver and leverage resources to enhance care for people with MS and quality of life for those affected by the disease.
• We are leaders in the worldwide MS movement, mobilizing millions of people to do something about MS now.
• We are activists.
• We develop and align human, business and financial resources to achieve breakthrough results.

Learn more about the Society's 2011-2015 Strategic Response to multiple sclerosis and the goals that have been set to achieve these results.